tousle

American  

[tou-zuhl] / ˈtaʊ zəl /

Or touzle

verb (used with object)

tousled, tousling

1. to disorder or dishevel.

   The wind tousled our hair.

2. to handle roughly.

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noun

1. a disheveled or rumpled mass, especially of hair.

2. a disordered, disheveled, or tangled condition.

tousle British  

/ ˈtaʊzəl /

verb

1. to tangle, ruffle, or disarrange

2. to treat roughly

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noun

1. a disorderly, tangled, or rumpled state

2. a dishevelled or disordered mass, esp of hair

Etymology

Origin of tousle

1400–50; late Middle English touselen (v.); cognate with Low German tūseln. See touse, -le

Example Sentences

“Eighth grade isn’t so bad, is it, Son?” he said, tousling the boy’s hair.

From The Wall Street Journal

His face is streaked with tears, his hair tousled, and he has on the same clothes he wore last night.

From Literature

She put her hand on his head and tousled his high top a bit, leaving four finger dents in the crown.

From Literature

The same tousled curls that spilled onto his forehead, the same warm eyes.

From Literature

Even today, Maddell does his best to keep his identity hidden, permanently hiding his face behind his tousled, neon pink fringe.

From BBC