[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

hackle \hac"kle\, v. t. imp.  p. p. hackled ha^k"k'ld;
   p. pr.  vb. n. hackling ha^k"kli^ng.
   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.
      1913 webster

   2. to tear asunder; to break in pieces.
      1913 webster

            the other divisions of the kingdom being hackled and
            torn to pieces.                       --burke.
      1913 webster
see also:
hackled hackling 

Hackled >> H Words
Hackled, definition of term: Hackled
hackled_pag1.html