trouble (v.)

c. 1200, troublen, "produce mental agitation or emotional turmoil;" mid-14c., "inflict suffering on;" from Old French trubler, metathesis of turbler, torbler "to trouble, disturb; make cloudy, stir up, mix" (11c.), from Vulgar Latin *turbulare, from Late Latin turbidare "to trouble, make turbid," from Latin turbidus (see turbid). Also compare trouble (n.).

The lighter sense of "pester with requests, ask importunately," often in formulas of polite apology, is by 1510s. Related: Troubled; troubling; troublable "easily stirred up," late 14c., from Old French.

c. 1200, "agitation of the mind, emotional turmoil," from Old French truble, torble "trouble, disturbance" (12c.), from trubler/torbler "disturb, make cloudy," from Vulgar Latin *turbulare, from Late Latin turbidare "to trouble, make turbid," from Latin turbidus (see turbid). Also compare trouble (v.).

It is attested by c. 1400 in reference to agitation of the sea, also generally, "confusion, disorder." From early 15c. as "a concern, a cause for worry;" 1590s as "something that causes trouble."

The meaning "unpleasant relations with the authorities" is from 1550s. Related: Troubles (1510s). Trouble and strife as rhyming slang for "wife" is recorded from 1908.

From alternative and variant forms Middle English also had tribul "tribulation," from Anglo-French tribul, Old French tribol; also turble "agitation, disturbance, unrest, tumult" (early 15c.), from Old French torble, tourble.

Also compare troubleness "turbulence, opacity" (early 15c.); troublousness "distracting or disturbing behavior" (mid-15c.); troublance "opposition, hindrance" (c. 1400); troublement (late 15c.); troubliness "turbidity" (early 15c.).