v. & n.
v. 1 a tr. intertwine (threads or hairs etc.) in a confused mass; entangle. b intr. become tangled. 2 intr. (foll. by with) colloq. become involved (esp. in conflict or argument) with (don't tangle with me). 3 tr. complicate (a tangled affair).
n. 1 a confused mass of intertwined threads etc. 2 a confused or complicated state (be in a tangle; a love tangle).
[ ME var. of obs. tagle, of uncert. orig. ]