gnarl

Noun

• 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
    

Verb

• make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
  • she grumbles when she feels overworked
    

• twist into a state of deformity
  • The wind has gnarled this old tree
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  knot , murmur , mutter , grumble , croak