gnarl

nouns

something twisted and tight and swollen

"their muscles stood out in knots"; "the old man's fists were two great gnarls"; "his stomach was in knots"

gnarl, knot

is derived from

twist into a state of deformity

"The wind has gnarled this old tree"

gnarl

is a type of (narrower)

cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form

"bend the rod"; "twist the dough into a braid"; "the strong man could turn an iron bar"

make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath

"she grumbles when she feels overworked"

croak, gnarl, grumble, murmur, mutter