Teazle
/ˈtiːzəl/noun
A variant spelling of teasel, a prickly plant whose dried flower heads were formerly used to raise the nap on cloth.
Did you know?Teazle heads were mounted in machines and used by textile workers because their natural hooked bracts raised fabric fibers without cutting them as aggressively as metal tools.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*taisijaną
“To pull apart, pluck, or separate fibers.”
Old English
Old English
tǣsan
“To tease, comb, or separate wool and other fibers.”
Old English
Old English
tǣsel
“The teasel plant, associated with teasing or separating fibers.”
Middle English
Middle English
tesel
“The prickly plant used to raise the nap of cloth.”
16th Century
English
teazle
“A spelling variant of teasel, referring to the plant and its textile use.”
Modern English
English
teazle
“A chiefly variant form of teasel.”