Pronunciation: [tˈiːzə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "teazel" is often misspelled as "teasel" due to its unusual pronunciation. The correct spelling is "teazel" and it is pronounced as /ˈtizəl/. The "ea" in the word is pronounced as a short "i" sound while the "z" is pronounced as a soft "s" sound. The word refers to a type of plant with prickly heads that were historically used to comb and clean wool. It is also used as a verb to describe the act of carding wool with a teazel.
Teazel, also spelled "teasel", is a noun that refers to a type of plant belonging to the genus Dipsacus, specifically Dipsacus fullonum or Dipsacus sativus. It is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant that is characterized by its tall, straight stem and prickly bracts. Teazel plants typically grow up to 2 meters in height.
The word "teazel" can also be used to describe the dried, spiny bracts of the plant that are used for various purposes. These bracts are often harvested from the plant after it has bloomed and dried. They are known for their roughness and sharp spines. Historically, teazels have been used in textile production, particularly in the process of raising the nap on woven fabrics. The spines of the teazels gently tease or raise the fibers, thus creating a softer and more even surface. This process is commonly referred to as "teaseling". Teazels are still used today in some traditional textile industries.
Beyond its textile uses, teazel has also been employed medicinally. It was often used as a remedy for ailments such as headaches, fevers, and arthritis. Moreover, teazels have been noted for their ability to attract birds and other wildlife due to their unique structure and the presence of small flowers.
Overall, teazel is a plant with distinctive prickly bracts that has historically served various purposes, particularly in textile production, making it significant within both industrial and natural contexts.
The word "teazel" is derived from the Middle English word "tesel" or "teosel", which originally entered English from Old English "tæsel". It is believed that the Old English term was borrowed from the Late Latin word "dipsacus", which referred to a type of plant used for carding wool. The Latin word, in turn, can be traced back to the Greek word "dipsakon". The word "teazel" specifically refers to a type of thistle-like plant, known as the fuller's teasel (Dipsacus sativus), which was historically used in textile processing to raise the nap on fabrics.
