[ noun ] any of several herbs of the genus Dipsacus native to the Old World having flower heads surrounded by spiny bracts <noun.plant>
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.
Note: Small teasel is {Dipsacus pilosus}, wild teasel is {Dipsacus 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.
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.