Hatchel \Hatch"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hatcheled} or {Hatchelled} (-[e^]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Hatcheling} or {Hatchelling}.] [OE. hechelen, hekelen; akin to D. hekelen, G. hecheln, Dan. hegle, Sw. h[aum]kla. See {Hatchel}, n.] 1. To draw through the teeth of a hatchel, as flax or hemp, so as to separate the coarse and refuse parts from the fine, fibrous parts. [1913 Webster] 2. To tease; to worry; to torment. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]