Bûr'ly, a.

adjective

a. [O. Eng. also boorely, equivalent to boor-like, clownish. Cf. also O. Eng. burle, a knot or bump (see BURL, v. t.), burley, the butt-end of the lance, Prov. Eng. crowd, tumult, L. Ger. burreler, to bubble, spout (of water).]

Sense 1. Of great bulk, especially with the idea of strength and coarseness of appearance; full in figure; stout; lusty.

In his latter days, with over-liberal diet, [he was] somewhat corpulent and burly. Sir T. More.

A priest, / Burly and big, and studious of his ease. Cowper.

Sense 2. Coarse and rough; boisterous; tumid.

It was the orator’s own burly way of nonsense. Cowley.