2 entries under this word

Hatchel

Hătch'el, n.

noun

n. [Ger. hechel, D. hekel, whence the common pronunciation in America, hetchel. See HACKLE.] An instrument formed with long iron teeth set in a board, for cleansing flax or hemp from the tow, hards, or coarse part; a kind of large comb. [Written also hackle and heckle.]

Hătch'el, v. t.

verbtransitive

(Synop., §130), v. t. [imp. & p. p. HATCHELED, or HATCHELLED; p. pr. & vb. n. HATCHELING, or HATCHELLING.] [Also hackle, heckle.]

To draw through the teeth of a hatchel, as flax or hemp, so as to separate the coarse and refuse parts from the fine, fibrous parts.
To tease or vex by sarcasms or reproaches; to torment severely.