local. 2 Obs. [Of obscure etymology. Cf. STICKLE a. 4 and Fris. stikelich hier, stikelhierrich adj.] A kind of hairy wool. Also stitchel hair. Also Stitchy (? adj.), in comb. stitchy-haired adj.
1775. Essays Agric., 342. Stitchel hair (in France Jarre) is a kind of short opaque white-like hair that grows up among the fleeces of some kinds of sheep.
1828–32. Webster, Stitchel, a kind of hairy wool. (Local.)
1839. Compl. Grazier, IV. iii. (1846), 215. The pelt, or coat [of the sheep], should always be attentively examined, in order to ascertain whether it is not stitchy-haired.
