The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Whirl \Whirl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Whirled; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Whirling.] [OE. whirlen, probably from the Scand.; cf.
   Icel. & Sw. hvirfla, Dan. hvirvle; akin to D. wervelen, G.
   wirbeln, freq. of the verb seen in Icel. hverfa to turn.
   [root]16. See Wharf, and cf. Warble, Whorl.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To turn round rapidly; to cause to rotate with velocity;
      to make to revolve.
      [1913 Webster]

            He whirls his sword around without delay. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To remove or carry quickly with, or as with, a revolving
      motion; to snatch; to harry. --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

            See, see the chariot, and those rushing wheels,
            That whirled the prophet up at Chebar flood.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            The passionate heart of the poet is whirl'd into
            folly.                                --Tennyson.
      [1913 Webster]