A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Tousle, Touse, v. Also: towsil(l, towzle, tussil(l, tosle, tousse, towse. [Late ME and e.m.E. tousel (1440), towse (1509), touse (1567), tusle (1573), LG tûsen, tûseln.] tr. a. To pull about, handle roughly, toss about. Also const. up and downe. b. To entwine, dishevel (the hair). c. To harass, worry, annoy.a. (1) a1500 Rauf C. 432.
Thair is mony better than I cummis oft to Parys … For to towsill me or tit me, thocht foull be my clais a1500 Henr. Fab. 2065.
I trou ȝe [sc. the fox] haue bene tussillit with sum tyke, That garris ȝou ly sa still withoutin steir a1605 Montg. Flyt. 382 (T).
Draiglit throw dirtie dubbis … Taigilt and towsilt [H. Tousled and tugled] with toun tykis(2) 1666-7 Blakhall Narr. 112.
I remained in the shippe, tosled up and downeb. 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 268.
Hov'ring locks, which drest in circling rownds With lawrell garlandes, and with golden lace Are touss'd a1649 Drummond I 12/111.
Phebus … Her haire … Hang in a golden shower aboue the streames, And (sweetly tous'd) her forehead sought to couerc. 1669 Lauderdale P. II 152.
He had been so towzled by the Duke … & Kincardin … upon the debate … that [etc.](b) a1649 Drummond I 147/183.
While the neighbour worlds (tows'd by the Fates) So manie Phaetons had in their states, … Thou … kepdst temperate thy zones a1649 Drummond II 78/344.
Such an impetuous vicissitude towseth the estate of this world!
