Dipsacus sylvestris

Teasel Tea"sel, n. [OE. tesel, AS. t[=ae]sel, t[=ae]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 ({Dipsacus 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. [1913 Webster]

Note: Small teasel is {Dipsacus pilosus}, wild teasel is {Dipsacus sylvestris}. [1913 Webster]

2. A bur of this plant. [1913 Webster]

3. Any contrivance intended as a substitute for teasels in dressing cloth. [1913 Webster]

{Teasel frame}, a frame or set of iron bars in which teasel heads are fixed for raising the nap on woolen cloth. [1913 Webster]