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.
☞ 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.