Scowl | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Scowl, v. i.

verbintransitive

[imp. & p. p. SCOWLED; p. pr. & vb. n. SCOWLING.] [L. Ger. schulen, schelen. H. Ger. schielen, Dan. skele, Sw. skela, to squint; A-S. scûl-eaged, sceolêged, scowl-eyed, Ger. schel, schiel, D. scheel, oblique, squint-eyed.] 1. To wrinkle the brows, as in frowning or displeasure; to put on a frowning look; to look sour, sullen, severe, or angry. She scowled and frowned with froward countenance. Spenser. 2. Hence, to look gloomy, frowning, dark, or tempestuous. “The scowling heavens.” Thomson.

Scowl, v. t.

verbtransitive

To look at or repel with a scowl or frown. Milton.

Scowl, n.

noun

Sense 1. The wrinkling of the brows in frowning; the expression of displeasure, sullenness, or discontent in the countenance.

Sense 2. Hence, gloom; dark or rude aspect.

A ruddy storm, whose scowl Made heaven’s radiant face look foul. Crashaw.