The verb to touse is given by both Johnson and Webster, to pull; to tear; to haul. Both have also the word tussle, a struggle; a conflict, which they call a vulgar word.
Thus Envy, the vile hag, attacks my rhymes,
Swearing they shall not peep on distant times;
But violent indeed shall be the tussel.--P. Pinder, Royal Tour, Proem.
In New York the tussle is all about the price of rents; the landlords want to get them up higher, and the tenants want to get them down lower.--Maj. Downing, May-day in New York, p. 30.
I'll give the old dog a tussel when it comes to my turn.--Simon Suggs.