TEASELINGS

TEASELING

Tea"sel*ing, n.

Definition: The cutting and gathering of teasels; the use of teasels. [Written also teaselling, teazling.]

TEASEL

Tea"sel, n. Etym: [OE. tesel, AS. t, t, the fuller's herb. See Tease.] [Written also tassel, tazel, teasle, teazel, and teazle.]

1. (Bot.)

Definition: 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.

Note: 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.

Tea"sel, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Teaseled or Teaselled; p. pr. & vb. n. Teaseling or Teaselling.]

Definition: To subject, as woolen cloth, to the action of teasels, or any substitute for them which has an effect to raise a nap.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition