Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(Aus.) to scold, to berate; thus get roused on, to be scolded.

1896		Worker (Sydney) Aug. 3/3: Some very thinned-skinned individuals have been ‘rousing’ on me for what they term my ‘strong language’ [AND].
1902		W.A. Sun. Times (Perth) 19 Jan. 1/1: Trouble is brewing at Karrakatta over the appointment of loblollyboy lieutenants [...] the men object to be roused on by incompetent martial manikins.
1902		Bulletin (Sydney) 6 Sept. 35/1: Trembler wants to divide with that buyer-in, but crowd ‘rouses’ so effectively that he sinks into silence.
1911		L. Stone Jonah 126: Me! ’E niver rouses on me. W’en ’e gits shirty, I just laugh, an’ ’e can’t keep it up.
1913		Tacoma Times (WA) 10 July 4/4: This is a swell affair affair and any gink what tries to yegg in the drum in his time-clock tatters will get the rude rouse.
1924		C.J. Dennis ‘The Faltering Knight’ in Chisholm (1951) 73: Reel unconcerned I am, I starts to rouse / Me neighbour, Wally Free, about ’is cow / Wot’s got in to me cabbages.
1931		D. Runyon ‘The Brain Goes Home’ in Broadway (1954) 212: Give Israel Ib his instructions, and maybe a good rousting around for not meeting her.
1932		(con. WWI) L. Mann Flesh in Armour 47: He rather sympathised with the corporal, who would be ‘roused’ if the hut were late.
1938		X. Herbert Capricornia (1939) 183: There aint nuthen rousts me like some’n hurtin’ my kids.
1941		A. Gurney Bluey & Curley 31 Mar. [synd. cartoon strip] You roused on some poor coot for havin’ a dirty bow and arrow.
1957		D. Niland Call Me When the Cross Turns Over (1958) 167: She’s a lovely girl, rouses on him a bit, but nothing much.
1966		P. White Solid Mandala (1976) 194: She began to rouse on me, as if I was to blame.
1967–8		Baker et al. CUSS 186: Rouse Tease or annoy someone.
1982		N. Keesing Lily on the Dustbin 21: ‘Put the lid on. Do you want the whole street to know our business?’ rouses an exasperated woman.