\Tea"sel\, n. [OE. tesel, AS. t?sel, t?sl, the fuller's
herb. See {Tease}.] [Written also {tassel}, {tazel},
{teasle}, {teazel}, and {teazle}.]
1. (Bot.) A plant of the genus {Dipsacus}, of which one
   species ({D. fullonum}) bears a large flower head covered
   with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when
   dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth.

Note: Small teasel is {Dipsacus pilosus}, wild teasel is {D.
      sylvestris}.

2. A bur of this plant.

3. Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in
   dressing cloth.

{Teasel frame}, a frame or set of iron bars in which teasel
   heads are fixed for raising the nap on woolen cloth.

\Tea"sel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Teaseled}or {Teaselled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Teaseling} or {Teaselling}.]
To subject, as woolen cloth, to the action of teasels, or any
substitute for them which has an effect to raise a nap.