n.
Pronunciation: ' t ē -z ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English tesel, from Old English t ǣ sel; akin to Old English t ǣ san 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 1a