1. the process of combing flax or hemp fibers to separate and straighten them
Usage: textile industry

1. present participle of hackle: to comb flax or hemp fibers
Usage: textile industry
2. present participle of hackle: to harass or badger someone persistently
Usage: informal

Examples

• The hackling of flax was an essential step in linen production.
• She spent hours hackling the hemp fibers until they were smooth.
• The old mill still has equipment for hackling raw flax.
• Stop hackling me about my homework!
• He was tired of his coworkers hackling him about his mistakes.
• The reporter kept hackling the politician with difficult questions.