tousle

or tou·zle

[ tou-zuhl ]

verb (used with object)

, tou·sled, tou·sling.

1. to disorder or dishevel:

   The wind tousled our hair.

2. to handle roughly.

noun

1. a disheveled or rumpled mass, especially of hair.
2. a disordered, disheveled, or tangled condition.

tousle

/ ˈtaʊzəl /

verb

1. to tangle, ruffle, or disarrange
2. to treat roughly

noun

1. a disorderly, tangled, or rumpled state
2. a dishevelled or disordered mass, esp of hair

Word History and Origins

Origin of tousle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tousle¹

C15: from Low German tūsen to shake; related to Old High German zirzūsōn to tear to pieces

Example Sentences

There are now picture editing apps that can tone you up, slim you down, smooth your skin, and tousle your hair.

From The Daily Beast

Recoil in horror as he allows The View ladies to tousle his formidable mane!

From The Daily Beast

Franz greeted Jean's pretty young wife and his three tousle-topped children and seated himself opposite Jean at the family table.

From Project Gutenberg

A tousle-headed girl-child in rompers which she was too big for, pointed me Baxter's house, the largest in the community.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet there looked little to pity in this jolly, rocking lad with the tousle of light hair and fresh, rosy countenance.

From Project Gutenberg

The next instant a tousle-headed boy with eyes ablaze was at her side working her hands like pump-handles.

From Project Gutenberg

Next to him sat Tuesday, the tousle-headed Gogol, a man more obviously mad.

From Project Gutenberg