'Teasel' definitions:

Definition of 'teasel'

(from WordNet)
noun
Any of several herbs of the genus Dipsacus native to the Old World having flower heads surrounded by spiny bracts [syn: teasel, teazel, teasle]

Definition of 'Teasel'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Teasel'

From: GCIDE
  • Teasel \Tea"sel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Teaseledor 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]