To pluck or pick off (by hand); to tear. Used for plucking flowers, weeds, hair, etc.
庭の雑草を根ごと毟るのは大変な作業だ。
Pulling the weeds out by the roots in the garden is hard work.
彼女は腹立ちまぎれに前髪を毟ってしまった。
In a fit of anger she plucked at her bangs.
庭のバラの枯れた葉を毟って捨てた。
She tore off the dead leaves from the roses in the garden and threw them away.