Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. to argue.

1859, 1860		Hotten Dict. of Modern Sl. etc.
1864, 1867, 1870		Hotten Sl. Dict.

2. (US black) to fight.

1956		J. Blake letter 5 Dec. in Joint (1972) 98: We tussled some for Auld Lang Syne, but I saw early on that we weren’t going to make it.
1980		E. Folb Runnin’ Down Some Lines 104: Vernacular terms that define the act of fighting itself (to [...] choose off, to box, to tussle).
1985		T.R. Houser Central Sl. 53: tussle [...] ‘I was tusslin’ with Ricky when his brother stole on me.’.

3. (US) to engage in sexual activity.

1965

B. Jackson Get Your Ass in the Water (1974) 47: I walked around the room and I seen this trick, / and we went upstairs and we started real soon. / Now me and this broad we started to tussle / and I drove twelve inches a dick through her ass before she could move a muscle.