v. & n.
--v. (ravelled, ravelling; US raveled, raveling)
1. tr. & intr. entangle or become entangled or knotted.
2 tr. confuse or complicate (a question or problem).
3 intr. fray out.
4 tr. (often foll. by out) disentangle, unravel, distinguish the separate threads or subdivisions of.
--n.
1. a tangle or knot.
2 a complication.
3 a frayed or loose end.
Etymology: prob. f. Du. ravelen tangle, fray out, unweave