>the real definition
well, you knew this was coming, right?!
from OEDonline:
/ˈtaʊz(ə)l/ Sc. /ˈtuz(ə)l/
Forms: ME, 17 tousel, (ME Sc. towsill, 16 -ell, 18 towsel), 15– tousle; 16– touzle, (17–18 towzle, 18 -zel, Sc. and north. toozle)
Etymology: Iterative of touse v.: see -le suffix 3. Compare Low German tûseln
1.
a. trans. To pull about roughly; to handle (esp. a woman) rudely or indelicately; to disorder, dishevel (the hair, clothes, etc.); = touse v. 1a, 1c, 2.
touse Now rare.
1.
a. trans. To pull roughly about; to drag or push about; to handle roughly; of a dog: to tear at, worry
..
c. To pull (a woman) about rudely, indelicately, or in horse-play; to tousle. Obs.
______
you can see now how Rule A came to be..
Last edited by tsuwm; 02/15/2011 3:15 PM.
