Ravel \Rav"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Raveledor Ravelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Raveling or Ravelling.]

[. ravelen, D. rafelen, akin to LG. rebeln, rebbeln, reffeln.]

1. To separate or undo the texture of; to take apart; to untwist; to unweave or unknit; -- often followed by out; as, to ravel a twist; to ravel out a sticking.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Ravel \Rav"el\, v. i.

1. To become untwisted or unwoven; to be disentangled; to be relieved of intricacy.

2. To fall into perplexity and confusion. [Obs.]

Till, by their own perplexities involved, They ravel more, still less resolved. --Milton.

3. To make investigation or search, as by picking out the threads of a woven pattern. [Obs.]

The humor of raveling into all these mystical or entangled matters. --Sir W. Temple.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)