nettling Definition

nettle
noun

1. A plant covered with hairs that sting if touched.
2. A plant that resembles this, but does not sting. See also dead nettle.

verb nettled, nettling

1. To offend or irritate someone.

Thesaurus: annoy, chafe, irritate, pester, disturb, fret, exasperate, harass, needle, pique, ruffle, sting, tease, vex.
2. To sting someone.

Idiom: grasp the nettle

To deal boldly with a difficult situation.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon netele.