Towse

There was a tremendous "towse" for a few days during which time I tried my hand at public-opinion moulding, and so successfully that all interested saw that the tide had really turned, and was running swiftly against the heretofore invincible "Standard ❋ Thomas William Lawson (1891)

You've all been real good to me, wantin 'me to come, an' I s'pose I should make an awful towse if I never was asked; but now I've got all my visitin 'done up, cousins an' all, an 'I'm goin' to be to home a spell. ❋ Alice Brown (1902)

"Well, I guess I'd make a towse," said Mrs. John C., robustly. ❋ Alice Brown (1902)

There was a terrible towse when Tammas Haggart then disclosed the secret of Mr. Byars 'supposed approval of the club. ❋ Unknown (1898)

[Sidenote: These Devices give great pleasure, when shown in a house.] ++These iiij. soteltees devised in towse, [210] wher þey byñ shewed in an howse, hith {e} doth {e} gret plesaunce ❋ Frederick James Furnivall (1867)

-- Sirrah, I say, do't; what, you can towse a Wench as handsomely -- You can be leud enough upon occasion. ❋ Unknown (1682)

Lambeth marsh, and had variety of meats and drinks, but I did so towse her and handled her, but could get nothing more from her though I was very near it; but as wanton and bucksome as she is she dares not adventure upon the business, in which I very much commend and like her. ❋ Samuel Pepys (1668)

R {ecipe} brawne of Capons or of he {n} nys, & dry þa {m} wele, & towse þa {m} small {e}; þan take thyk mylk of almonds, & put þe saide brawñ ❋ Frederick James Furnivall (1867)

Parliament stairs (in my way down to the boat who should meet us but my lady Jemimah, who saw me lead her but said nothing to me of her, though I ought to speak to her to see whether she would take notice of it or no) and off to Stangate and so to the King's Head at Lambeth marsh, and had variety of meats and drinks, but I did so towse her and handled her, but could get nothing more from her though I was very near it; but as wanton and bucksome as she is she dares not adventure upon the business, in which ❋ Samuel Pepys (1668)

_Ladies_ chambers, he will tumble beds, and towse your _Ladies_ dress up unto the height, to the hazard of a _Bed-staff_ thrown at his head, or rap o're the fingers with a _Busk_, and that is all; only is this he is far worse than the _Buffoon_, since they study to _delight_, this only to _offend_; they to make _merry_, but this onely to make you _mad_, whence wo be t 'ye of he discovers and _imperfection_ or ❋ Richard Flecknoe (1639)

If the word is _towse_, the only others I can find like it are tow, ‘towe of hempe or flax,’ Promptorium; ‘_heruper_, to discheuell, ❋ Frederick James Furnivall (1867)