'tussle' likely originates within English as an imitative or dialectal formation related to verbs like 'touse'/'tousle' (to disarrange), conveying a sense of shaking or struggle; the precise origin is uncertain.

'tussle' appears in English as a verb and noun meaning 'to scuffle' or 'a scuffle'; the regular past/past-participle form 'tussled' developed by adding the -ed inflection and the adjective use (e.g., 'tussled hair') arose from the participle.

Initially it meant 'a short, rough struggle' and over time has retained that core sense while also being used adjectivally to describe a disordered state (especially of hair).