Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ravel \Rav"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Raveled}or {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.

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 : WordNet®

Ravel
     n 1: French composer and exponent of Impressionsim (1875-1937)
          [syn: {Maurice Ravel}]
     2: a row of unravelled stitches; "she got a run in her
        stocking" [syn: {run}, {ladder}]