v. t. [ OF. pourfiler; pour for + fil a thread, L. filum. See Profile, and cf. Purl a border. ] 1. To decorate with a wrought or flowered border; to embroider; to ornament with metallic threads; as, to purfle with blue and white. P. Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

A goodly lady clad in scarlet red,
Purfled with gold and pearl of rich assay. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Her.) To ornament with a bordure of emines, furs, and the like; also, with gold studs or mountings. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Ornamented; decorated; esp., embroidered on the edges. [ 1913 Webster ]

Purfled work (Arch.), delicate tracery, especially in Gothic architecture. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. 1. A hem, border., or trimming, as of embroidered work. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Her.) A border of any heraldic fur. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Ornamentation on the border of a thing; specifically, the inlaid border of a musical instrument, as a violin. [ 1913 Webster ]