Etymology

Derived from ON by early authorities (Kullnick 15 and Schmittbetz 13) citing Sw knorla ‘to twist, curl’, but native derivation was favoured subsequently, citing WGmc analogues: e.g. OED relates it to the n. knur, knurr, ‘corresponding to’ MDu, MLG, MHG knorre (Du knor, Ger knorre(n), Sw dial knurr, knurra ‘hard swelling, knot, knob’. The ulterior etymology is obscure; Magoun (1937: 133) suggests that the word is related by Ablaut to ME knarre (hence MED’s cross reference); see further knarre.

PGmc Ancestor

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

(ONP )

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Sw dial knurr, knurra;  knorla 

OE Cognate

Phonological and morphological markers

Summary category

BBB2a

Attestation

The only similar form (recorded by both MED and OED) is cnurned in the KG St.Marg.

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

Gaw 2166

PS emend Gaw 2166 to *knornede, presumably metri causa.

Bibliography

MED knorned (adj.) , OED knurned (adj.) , HTOED , Dance knorned