Teasel

teasel
    n 1: any of several herbs of the genus Dipsacus native to the
         Old World having flower heads surrounded by spiny bracts
         [syn: {teasel}, {teazel}, {teasle}]
    

Teasel \Tea"sel\, n. [OE. tesel, AS. t[=ae]sel, t[=ae]sl, 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 ({Dipsacus 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.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Small teasel is {Dipsacus pilosus}, wild teasel is
         {Dipsacus sylvestris}.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. A bur of this plant.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in
      dressing cloth.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Teasel frame}, a frame or set of iron bars in which teasel
      heads are fixed for raising the nap on woolen cloth.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Teasel \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.
   [1913 Webster]