noun
- any of a genus (Dipsacus) of bristly plants of the teasel family, with prickly, cylindrical heads of yellowish or purplish flowers, esp. the (D. fullonum) with flower heads having sharp, spinelike bracts
- a flower head of the fuller's teasel, used when dried for raising a nap on cloth
- any device for raising a nap on cloth
Origin:
ME tasel < OE tæsel < base of tæsan, to tease
adjective
designating a family (Dipsacaceae, order Dipsacales) of dicotyledonous plants bearing dense flower heads covered with stiff bracts, including scabiosa and teasel
transitive verb teaseled, teaselled, teaseling, teaselling
to raise a nap on (cloth) by means of teasels