For Robert
whir (hwûr, wûr)
v. whirred, whir·ring, whirs
v. intr.
To move so as to produce a vibrating or buzzing sound.
v.
To cause to make a vibratory sound.
n.
A sound of buzzing or vibration: the whir of turning wheels.
Excited, noisy activity; bustle: the whir of busy shoppers.
[Middle English whirren, probably of Scandinavian origin.]