Churl (?), n. [AS. ceorl a freeman of the lowest rank, man, husband; akin to D. karel, kerel, G. kerl, Dan. & Sw. karl, Icel. karl, and to the E. proper name Charles (orig., man, male), and perh. to Skr. jara lover. Cf. Carl, Charles's Wain.]
1.
A rustic; a countryman or laborer.
"A peasant or
churl."
Spenser.
Your rank is all reversed; let men of cloth
Bow to the stalwart churls in overalls.
Emerson.
2.
A rough, surly, ill-bred man; a boor.
A churl's courtesy rarely comes, but either for gain or falsehood.
Sir P. Sidney.
3.
A selfish miser; an illiberal person; a niggard.
Like to some rich churl hoarding up his pelf.
Drayton.
© Webster 1913.
Churl, a.
Churlish; rough; selfish.
[Obs.]
Ford.
© Webster 1913.