rufty-tufty
/ˌrʌftɪˈtʌfti/(also ruffty-tuffty) Now rare
adjective
Rumbustious, boisterous; rough, tough. Compare earlier rifty tufty informal and regional in later use.
- Apparently unattested between the 17th and 20th centuries..
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in George Chapman (?1560–1634), poet and playwright. A reduplicative formation, in early use probably ultimately of imitative origin, although with later use perhaps compare rough, tough.