ETYM AS. netele; akin to Dutch netel, German nessel, Old High Germ. nezzďla, nazza, Dan. nelde, nälde, Swed. nässla; cf, Lith. notere.
Any of numerous plants having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact (especially of the genus Urtica or family Urticaceae).
Any plant of the genus Urtica, family Urticaceae. Stinging hairs on the generally ovate leaves contain nerve toxins, which penetrate the skin and cause inflammation. The common nettle U. dioica grows on waste ground in Europe and North America, where it was introduced.

To goad or provoke, as by constant criticism; SYN. needle, goad.