The Collaborative International Dictionary
Burling iron
Burl \Burl\ (b[^u]rl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Burled (b[^u]rld); p. pr. & vb. n. Burling.] [OE. burle stuffing, or a knot in cloth; cf. F. bourlet, bourrelet, OF. bourel, a wreath or a roll of cloth, linen, or leather, stuffed with flocks, etc., dim. of bourre. [root]92. See Bur.] To dress or finish up (cloth); to pick knots, burs, loose threads, etc., from, as in finishing cloth.
Burling iron, a peculiar kind of nippers or tweezers used in burling woolen cloth.