\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.

\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.