heckle

verb

1. (transitive)To question harshly in an attempt to find or reveal weaknesses.
2. (transitive)To insult, tease, make fun of or badger, especially during a comedy performance.

   “Promise that you won't heckle me after my performance.”

   “As late as 1854, the antichoir members of an Ohio Methodist congregation heckled the choir whenever it tried to sing, hoping to "bring discredit on the singers by creating discord."”

   “[…] Internet postings, speeches, heckling, cartoons, faxes, composites, noises, threats, incitements, videos, ads, prayers, classes, live and filmed nudity (frontal, sideal, backal), defamation, blasphemy, and digital communication […]”

   “It is the large brown bonxies that heckle me as I pass across the high moor and approach the sheep gate.”

   “The student section of Blue Devils fans, called “Cameron Crazies” for the energy and antics they bring to that cramped arena at Duke, heckles opponents with the help of “cheer sheets” that include biographical details and biting comments about opposing players.”

3. To prepare (flax) for spinning, using special combs called hackles.

noun

1. (alt-of, alternative)Alternative form of hackle (“tool for separating flax”).
2. The long shining feathers on a cock's neck.
3. A feather ornament in the full-dress bonnets of Highland regiments.
4. An rude interruption during a show, especially a comedy performance

   “The stand-up dealt well with the heckles from the crowd, replying with raucous banter to raise plenty of laughs.”