touse

[ touz; Scots tooz, toos ]

/ taʊz; Scots tuz, tus /

Chiefly British Dialect

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of touse

1250–1300; 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

tournois, tour of duty, tour operator, Tours, tourtière, touse, tousle, tousled, tous-les-mois, Toussaint L'Ouverture, tout

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|Various
Now you'd better go out and find the man that started all this touse about a leadin' citizen.
The Skipper and the Skipped|Holman Day
I 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. Stephens
Ned, 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 Heady

Douse, or Touse s. a smart blow, particularly on the face, ex.
A Glossary of Provincial Words & Phrases in use in Somersetshire|Wadham Pigott Williams