n. & v.
--n.
1. any plant of the genus Urtica, esp. U. dioica, with jagged leaves covered with stinging hairs.
2 any of various plants resembling this.
--v.tr.
1. irritate, provoke, annoy.
2 sting with nettles.
Phrases and idioms:
nettle-rash a skin eruption like nettle stings.
Etymology: OE netle, netele