an arrangement of similar parts, e.g. leaves, in a circle round a point on an axis, e.g. a stem
something spiral in form or movement
whorls of smoke
a single turn of a spiral, esp on a shell
a fingerprint in which the central ridges turn through at least one complete circle
whorled adj
[Middle English wharle, whorle small pulley in a spinning machine, prob alteration of whirle, from whirlen whirl1]