touse
[ touz; Scots tooz, toos ]
verb (used with object),toused, tous·ing.
to handle roughly; dishevel.
verb (used without object),toused, tous·ing.
to struggle; tussle.
noun
a commotion; rumpus.
Origin of touse
11250–1300; Middle English -t(o)usen, in betusen, fortusen to handle roughly (simple verb first recorded in the early 16th century); cognate with Old Frisian tūsen to rend, German zausen to tousle
Words Nearby touse
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use touse in a sentence
He gen'rally stirred up the most of his touse In hustling to save the outside of the house.
The Book of Humorous Verse | VariousNow you'd better go out and find the man that started all this touse about a leadin' citizen.
The Skipper and the Skipped | Holman DayI felt streaked about makin any more touse about a leetle cider, and poured the glass down without squinchin.
Highlife in New York: a series of letters to Mr. Zephariah Slick, | Ann S. StephensNed, my boy, just tumble sleepy-headed Charlie there out of his comfortable nap, and touse him into his waking senses again.
The Farmer Boy, and How He Became Commander-In-Chief | Morrison HeadyDouse, or touse s. a smart blow, particularly on the face, ex.
A Glossary of Provincial Words & Phrases in use in Somersetshire | Wadham Pigott Williams
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