I. ˈhā-zəl noun
Etymology: Middle English hasel, from Old English hæsel; akin to Old High German hasal hazel, Latin corulus
Date: before 12th century
1. : any of a genus ( Corylus and especially the American C. americana and the European C. avellana ) of shrubs or small trees of the birch family bearing nuts enclosed in a leafy involucre
2. : a light brown to strong yellowish brown
II. adjective
Date: 14th century
1. : consisting of hazels or of the wood of the hazel
2.
a. : of the color hazel
b. of eyes : of a variable color averaging light greenish-grayish brown