Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - hassle

 I. noun  Date: 1945  1. a heated often protracted argument ; wrangle  2. a violent skirmish ; fight  3.  a. a state of confusion ; turmoil  b. an annoying or troublesome concern  II. verb  (~d; hassling)  Etymology: perhaps blend of harass and hustle  Date: 1951  intransitive verb argue, fight ~d with the umpire  transitive verb to annoy persistently or acutely ; harass he gets ~d in the street because he dresses funny — William Kloman