Heckle

heckle
    n 1: a comb for separating flax fibers [syn: {hatchel},
         {heckle}]
    v 1: comb with a heckle; "heckle hemp or flax" [syn: {heckle},
         {hackle}, {hatchel}]
    2: challenge aggressively
    

Hatchel \Hatch"el\ (-[e^]l; 277), n. [OE. hechele, hekele; akin
   to D. hekel, G. hechel, Dan. hegle, Sw. h[aum]kla, and prob.
   to E. hook. See {Hook}, and cf. {Hackle}, {Heckle}.]
   An instrument 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; -- called also {hackle} and {heckle}.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Heckle \Hec"kle\, n. & v. t.
   Same as {Hackle}.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Heckle \Hec"kle\, v. t.
   1. To interrogate, or ply with questions, esp. with severity
      or antagonism, as a candidate for the ministry.

            Robert bore heckling, however, with great patience
            and adroitness.                       --Mrs. Humphry
                                                  Ward.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   2. To shout questions or jibes at (a public speaker), so as
      to disconcert him or render his talk ineffective.
      [PJC]
    

70 Moby Thesaurus words for "heckle":
      aggravate, annoy, badger, bait, barrack, be at, bedevil, beset,
      bother, bristle, brown off, bug, bullyrag, burn up, card, chivy,
      comb, curry, devil, discomfit, discompose, disconcert, distemper,
      disturb, dog, embarrass, exasperate, exercise, fash, faze, get,
      gripe, hackle, harass, harry, hassle, hatchel, hector, hound, irk,
      irritate, jeer, miff, molest, nag, needle, nettle, nudzh, peeve,
      persecute, pester, pick on, pique, plague, pluck the beard, pother,
      provoke, rake, rattle, ride, rile, roil, ruffle, taunt, tease,
      torment, try the patience, tweak the nose, vex, worry