A lot of writers find their writing is quite disorderly where these two similar-sounding words are concerned.

Tousle means to rumple or mess up, such as your hair or bed sheets. To wit, Auntie Jane playfully tousled her young nephew’s hair.

Tussle means to have a physical fight or struggle. For example, The two sailors got got in a tussle over which one was buying Melissa a drink.

So, your hair may be tousled after you get into a tussle, but your hair never will tussle with you if you don’t comb it.