hatchel/ˈhæt͡ʃəl/EtymologyFrom Middle English hechele, of West Germanic origin, related to the root of hook. Compare hackle.nounA comb used to separate flax fibers.“One end of the bundle being hatchelled, it is turned round, and the other is treated in the same way; and the process is repeated on finer hatchels.”verbTo separate (flax fibers) with a hatchel, or comb.