Hac"kle (?), n. [See Heckle, and cf. Hatchel.]
1.
A comb for dressing flax, raw silk, etc.; a hatchel.
2.
Any flimsy substance unspun, as raw silk.
3.
One of the peculiar, long, narrow feathers on the neck of fowls, most noticeable on the cock, -- often used in making artificial flies; hence, any feather so used.
4.
An artificial fly for angling, made of feathers.
© Webster 1913.
Hac"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hackled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hackling (?).]
1.
To separate, as the coarse part of flax or hemp from the fine, by drawing it through the teeth of a hackle or hatchel.
2.
To tear asunder; to break in pieces.
The other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and torn to pieces.
Burke.
© Webster 1913.