Hackle \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.