Main Entry: ¹tea·sel

Pronunciation: \ˈtē-zəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English tesel, from Old English tǣsel; akin to Old English tǣsan to tease

Date: before 12th century

1 a : an Old World prickly herb (Dipsacus fullonum of the family Dipsacaceae, the teasel family) with flower heads that are covered with stiff hooked bracts and were used especially formerly in the woolen industry —called also fuller's teasel b : a plant of the same genus as the teasel
2 a : a flower head of the fuller's teasel used when dried to raise a nap on woolen cloth b : a wire substitute for the teasel

[teasel illustration]