E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Tussle.
A struggle, a skirmish. A corruption of tousle (German, zausen, to pull); hence a dog is named Towser (pull ’em down). In the Winter’s Tale (iv. 4.), Autol’ycus says to the Shepherd, “I toze from thee thy business” (pump or draw out of thee). In Measure for Measure, Escalus says to the Duke, “We’ll touze thee joint by joint” (v. 1.).
