touse

American  

[touz, tooz, toos] / taʊz, tuz, tus /

verb (used with object)

toused, tousing

1. to handle roughly; dishevel.

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verb (used without object)

toused, tousing

1. to struggle; tussle.

noun

1. a commotion; rumpus.

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Researchers have previously found that when people recycle, they feel entitled touse more resources and produce more waste.

From Salon • Jul. 7, 2018

"Who's making a—a—a touse about it?" inquired Tutt, perceiving that he had taken the wrong tack.

From By Advice of Counsel by Train, Arthur Cheney

Nought can great Furor do but bark and howl, And snarl, and grin, and carl, and touse the world, Like a great swine, by his long, lean-ear'd lugs.

From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 9 by Various

"And whenever those notes in the street begin,    I recall her, and that far scene, And her acting of how the Allies marched in,    And her touse of the tambourine!"

From Wessex Poems and Other Verses by Hardy, Thomas

The "Santisima Trinidad," The old "Redoubtable's" hard sides, and ours, Will take the touse of this bombastic blow.

From The Dynasts by Hardy, Thomas