Tea"sel (?), n. [OE. tesel, AS. tsel, tsl, the fuller's herb. See Tease.] [Written also tassel, tazel, teasle, teazel, and teazle.]
1. Bot.
A plant of the genus Dipsacus, of which one species (D. fullonum) bears a large flower head covered with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth.
⇒ Small teasel is Dipsacus pilosus, wild teasel is D. sylvestris.
2.
A bur of this plant.
3.
Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in dressing cloth.
Teasel frame, a frame or set of iron bars in which teasel heads are fixed for raising the nap on woolen cloth.
© Webster 1913.
Tea"sel, 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 any substitute for them which has an effect to raise a nap.
© Webster 1913.