Forms: 6 frisel, frysle, 6–8 frisle, frizel(l, frizle, (7 frez-, frizil), 7– frizzle. [This and the related FRIZZLE sb. are of obscure origin; they occur much earlier than FRIZZ v. to curl (hair) from which they might be supposed to be derived; the verb to FRIEZE cloth, however, which is etymologically identical, is older, and may have given rise to frisel as a frequentative formation. Cf. OFris. frisle, fresle, head of hair, curls, North Fris. friessle, fressle head of hair, lock of hair, mod.Fris. frisseljen, frislen to plait (esp. the hair); but the origin of these words, and their relation to the Eng. words, is uncertain; cf. also OF. fresel a comb worn in the hair.]
1. trans. To curl (hair) in small crisp curls.
1565–73. Cooper, Thesaurus, Calamistratus, trimmed: crisped: or frisled.
1573. Twyne, Æneid, LI j. Lockes with bodkins frisled fine.
1631. Brathwait, Eng. Gentlew. (1641), 283. A long lock he has got, and the art to frizle it.
1707. Curios. in Husb. & Gard., 277. ’Tis enough only that her Hair be not frizzled.
1766. C. Anstey, Bath Guide, xi. 41.
| Besides a prodigious rough black head of hair | |
| All frizzled and curl’d o’er her neck that is bare. |
1822. W. Irving, Braceb. Hall, iv. 34. Her hair … is frizzled out and put up with pins.
1869. Trollope, He Knew, vii. Her grey hair was always frizzled with the greatest care.
absol. 1576. Gascoigne, Steele Gl., Epilogvs, 15. They … bumbast, bolster, frisle, and perfume.
a. 1613. Overbury, A Wife (1638), 180. He studies by the discretion of his Barber, to frizle like a Baboone.
† b. ? transf. To adorn with frills or ruffles. Obs.
[But possibly a distinct word. Cf. OF. freselé frilled, ruffled, f. fresel frill; also FRISLET.]
1753. Songs Costume (Percy Soc.), 231.
| Let your gown be a sacque, blew, yellow, or green, | |
| And frizzle your elbows with ruffles sixteen. |
1755. Lond. Mag., July, 343. Circling round her iv’ry neck, Frizzle out the smart Vandike.
2. intr. for refl. To form into crisp curls; to curl or twist up.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 505. The dust of the same mixed with oyl … doth cause the hair to frisle and curl.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Crown-Scab, A … malignant Matter, that breaks forth at the Roots of the Hair, where it sticks to the Skin, and makes it frizzle and stare.
1886. Law Times, LXXXI. 84/1. The smoke and the noxious gases caused the leaves of the plants, etc., to curl and frizzle up.
† 3. trans. To brush or touch lightly. Cf. FRIEZE v.1 3.
1634. Peacham, Gentl. Exerc., I. xxvi. 93. For a feather, Lake frizled with red lead.
1652. Wright, trans. Camus’ Nature’s Paradox, 134. The agreeable noise, which the Leaves of the Neighbouring Trees did make, when frizled by the Zephyr’s welcome Wings.
Hence Frizzling ppl. a. Also Frizzler, one who frizzles.
1779. Forrest, Voy. N. Guinea, 95. Their comb … with which they now and then combed their frizzling locks.
1779–80. Cook, Voy. (1785), I. 183. In some it [hair] was of a frizzling disposition.
1816. J. Gilchrist, Philosophic Etymology, 263. The language of the musicians, dancing-masters, perfumers, frizzlers, gilders, picture-connoisseurs, farce-amateurs, doll-dealers, &c. &c. &c. is so very different from the rude, barbarous style of Gothic or Herculean thinkers, that it would not be fair to contrast their different excellencies.
