Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WOOL, n. [Sax. wul; G. wolle; D. wol; Sw. ull; Dan. uld; Russ. volna; Basque, ulea. Qu. Gr. ουλος, soft; ιουλος, down; or L. vellus, from vello, to pull off.]

1. That soft species of hair which grows on sheep and some other animals, which in fineness sometimes approaches to fur. The word generally signifies the fleecy coat of the sheep, which constitutes a most essential material of clothing in all cold and temperate climates.
2. Short thick hair.
3. In botany, a sort of pubescence, or a clothing of dense curling hairs on the surface of certain plants. – Martyn.