tussle
[tuhs-uh l]
- to struggle or fight roughly or vigorously; wrestle; scuffle.
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- a rough physical contest or struggle; scuffle.
- any vigorous or determined struggle, conflict, etc.: I had quite a tussle with that chemistry exam.
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Origin of tussle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for tussling
Contemporary Examples
“He has been tussling with the decision to run for the presidency,” says a Western diplomat.
Then we get Eric Cantor tussling with the next President Clinton.
Obama is going to spend the summer pushing, and the Senate tussling over, those.
Historical Examples
They were tussling together, and we flung ourselves on them and separated them.
The Trail of '98Robert W. Service
In tussling with Lew I had gotten blood on my coat, pants, and shirt.
The Criminal ImbecileHenry Herbert Goddard
Mallory and the big deputy stood with their backs to the Treasurer's door, tussling with three burly ruffians.
The Short Line WarSamuel Merwin
So, my boy, that is why I keep you tussling with cross-country work while the others are on the track.
For the Honor of the SchoolRalph Henry Barbour
Whilst we were tussling I slipped in a cartridge and pulled the trigger—the muzzle was against his breast, and he fell dead.
tussle
- (intr) to fight or wrestle in a vigorous way; struggle
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- a vigorous fight; scuffle; struggle
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Word Origin
C15: related to Old High German zūsen; see tousle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for tussling
tussle
v.
late 15c., Scottish and northern English variant of touselen (see tousle). Related: Tussled; tussling. The noun is first recorded 1620s but rare before 19c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper