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hackle

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(hak′əl)

noun

a comblike instrument for separating the fibers of flax, hemp, etc.
1. any of the long, slender feathers at the neck of a rooster, peacock, pigeon, etc.
2. such feathers, collectively
Fishing
1. a tuft of feathers from a rooster's neck, used in making artificial flies
2. a fly made with a hackle
the hairs on a dog's neck and back that bristle, as when the dog is ready to fight

Origin: ME hechele (akin to Ger hechel) < OE *hæcel < IE base *keg-, a peg, hook > hack, hook: senses 2, 3, & 4, prob. infl. by dial. hackle, bird's plumage, animal's skin < OE hacele

transitive verb hackled, hackling

to separate the fibers of (flax, hemp, etc.) with a hackle
Rare to supply (a fishing fly) with a hackle

transitive verb, intransitive verb hackled, hackling

to cut roughly; hack; mangle

Origin: freq. of hack

See hackle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Any of the long, slender, often glossy feathers on the neck of a bird, especially a male domestic fowl.
hackles The erectile hairs along the back of the neck of an animal, especially of a dog.
a. A tuft of cock feathers trimming an artificial fishing fly.
b. A hackle fly.

transitive verb hack·led, hack·ling, hack·les

To trim (an artificial fishing fly) with a hackle.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English hakell, cloak, skin, plumage

Origin: , possibly from Old English hacele, cloak, mantle

verb hack·led, hack·ling, hack·les

verb, transitive

To chop roughly; mangle by hacking.

verb, intransitive

To hack.

Origin:

Origin: Frequentative of hack¹