dial. [f. TOUSE v.]
1. Rough pulling about, horse-play; a ‘row,’ commotion, uproar; an outcry, a fuss.
1795. Wolcott (P. Pindar), Lousiad, IV. 173. Let’s have no more touse. Ibid. (1802), Middlesex Elect., II. vi. Amongst the derty, lowzy crew, There’s zich a touse and hallibulloo.
1835–40. Haliburton, Clockm. (1862), 28. Marm Lecain makes such an eternal touss about her carpets.
1882. Jago, Cornwall Gloss., Tonse, fuss, row, uproar, hurry. ‘Making such a touse.’
2. A tousled mass: in quot. of hair.
1894. Crockett, Lilac Sunbonnet, v. 43. With a touse of lint-white locks blowing out in the gusts.
