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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Teasel

Tea'sel, n.

noun

(tē′zl), n. [A.-S. tæ-sel, tæsl, the fuller's herb, O. H. Ger. zeisala, id. See supra.] [Written also tassel, tazel, teasle, and teazle.]

  1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus Dipsacus, of which one species (D. fullonum) bears a large burr or flower-head covered with stiff, prickly, hooked awns or bracts, which, when dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth.
  2. The burr of the plant.
  3. Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in dressing cloth.
A botanical illustration of a common teasel plant with spiny stems, leaves, and three flower heads.
Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum).

Tēa'sel, v. t.

verbtransitive

(tē'zl) (Synop., § 130), v. t. [imp. & p. p. TEASELED, or TEASELLED; p. pr. & vb. n. TEASELING, or TEASELLING.] To subject, as woolen cloth, to the action of teasels, or that which has an effect to raise a nap.