The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hatchel \Hatch"el\ (-[e^]l; 277), n. [OE. hechele, hekele; akin
   to D. hekel, G. hechel, Dan. hegle, Sw. h[aum]kla, and prob.
   to E. hook. See Hook, and cf. Hackle, Heckle.]
   An instrument with long iron teeth set in a board, for
   cleansing flax or hemp from the tow, hards, or coarse part; a
   kind of large comb; -- called also hackle and heckle.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Heckle \Hec"kle\, n. & v. t.
   Same as Hackle.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Heckle \Hec"kle\, v. t.
   1. To interrogate, or ply with questions, esp. with severity
      or antagonism, as a candidate for the ministry.

            Robert bore heckling, however, with great patience
            and adroitness.                       --Mrs. Humphry
                                                  Ward.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   2. To shout questions or jibes at (a public speaker), so as
      to disconcert him or render his talk ineffective.
      [PJC]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

heckle
    n 1: a comb for separating flax fibers [syn: hatchel,
         heckle]
    v 1: comb with a heckle; "heckle hemp or flax" [syn: heckle,
         hackle, hatchel]
    2: challenge aggressively