[hack.le] n [ME hakell; akin to OHG hako hook--more at hook] (15c) 1 a: one of the long narrow feathers on the neck or saddle of a bird b: the neck plumage of the domestic fowl
2: a comb or board with long metal teeth for dressing flax, hemp, or jute 3 pl a: erectile hairs along the neck and back esp. of a dog b: temper, dander
4. a: an artificial fishing fly made chiefly of the filaments of a cock's neck feathers b: filaments of cock feather projecting from the head of an artificial fly
[2]hackle vt hack.led ; hack.ling (1616): to comb out with a hackle -- hack.ler n