The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Bristle \Bris"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bristled; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Bristling.]
   1. To erect the bristles of; to cause to stand up, as the
      bristles of an angry hog; -- sometimes with up.
      [1913 Webster]

            Now for the bare-picked bone of majesty
            Doth dogged war bristle his angry crest. --Shak.
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            Boy, bristle thy courage up.          --Shak.
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   2. To fix a bristle to; as, to bristle a thread.
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