Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BRIS'TLE, n. [bris'l; Sax. bristl, and byrst; Sw. borst; D. borstel, a bristle, a brush; G. borste, bristle; borsten, to bristle up; Dan. bryster, to strut. The sense is, a shoot.]

1. The stiff glossy hair of swine, especially that growing on the back, used for making brushes; similar hair on other animals.
2. A species of pubescence on plants, in form of stiff roundish hair. – Martyn.