tussle

[ tuhs-uh l ]
/ ˈtʌs əl /

verb (used without object), tus·sled, tus·sling.

to struggle or fight roughly or vigorously; wrestle; scuffle.

noun

a rough physical contest or struggle; scuffle.
any vigorous or determined struggle, conflict, etc.: I had quite a tussle with that chemistry exam.

Origin of tussle

1425–75; late Middle English (north and Scots) tusillen, derivative (see -le) of tusen to touse

Example sentences from the Web for tussle

British Dictionary definitions for tussle

tussle
/ (ˈtʌsəl) /

verb

(intr) to fight or wrestle in a vigorous way; struggle

noun

a vigorous fight; scuffle; struggle

Word Origin for tussle

C15: related to Old High German zūsen; see tousle