knurly /ˈnɜː(ɹ)li/ adjective1 •Gnarled or knotty; hard and misshapen."Well, I swow!" ejaculated the Cap'n, rubbing his knurly forefinger under his nose, and glancing first at the parrots and then at the lady. — 1911 formsknurlier · more knurly · knurliest · most knurly