/towz/ ; Scot. /toohz, toohs/ , v. , toused, tousing , n. Chiefly Brit. Dial.
v.t.
1. to handle roughly; dishevel.
v.i.
2. to struggle; tussle.
n.
3. a commotion; rumpus.
[ 1250-1300; ME -t ( o ) usen, in betusen, fortusen to handle roughly (simple verb first recorded in the early 16th century); c. OFris tusen to rend, G zausen to tousle ]