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

He gen'rally stirred up the most of his touse In hustling to save the outside of the house.

From The Book of Humorous Verse by Wells, Carolyn

Now you'd better go out and find the man that started all this touse about a leadin' citizen.

From The Skipper and the Skipped Being the Shore Log of Cap'n Aaron Sproul by Day, Holman

I dinks mine hed vas schplit abart He kicks oup sooch a touse; But nefer mind der poys vas few Like dot young Yawcob Strauss.

From Poems Teachers Ask For Selected by readers of "Normal Instructor-Primary Plans" by Various

"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