Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TUFFLE, v., n. [tʌfl]
I. v. 1. To put into disorder, to ruffle, rumple, entangle (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Kcb. c.1900; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ayr. 1973). Also in Eng. dial. Comb. tuffle-pack, a jocular term for a pedlar.Dmf. 1810 R. Cromek Remains 67:
An' what has tuffled your gowden locks?Dmf. 1823 J. Kennedy Poems 77:
For Tuffle-pack, that gleesome peddir, Hath run his race.Ags. 1868 G. Webster Strathbrachan II. ii.:
The leddy's unco sair tuffled like.
2. To confuse mentally (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 84:
My brain hath been sae tufflt.
II. n. A struggle, tussle; a romp, a friendly scuffle.Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Poems 70:
Lassies at the expected tuffles Smiling cheerfu' a' the gate.Dmf. 1834 Carlyle Letters (Norton) II. 232:
It will not be without a hard tuffle.
