Crossword Dictionary
frazzle
frazzle - v
exhaust physically or emotionally; "She was frazzled after the visit of her in-laws"
To frazzle is to tire or wear someone out. Traffic jams and looming deadlines tend to frazzle people.
Frazzle is a funny-looking word, but it means something not-so-funny: being exhausted, physically or mentally. Parents are frazzled by their children crying and running around. A difficult job like serving as a police officer is extremely frazzling. Doing anything that takes a mental, emotional, or physical toll is frazzling. When someone feels tired, they will often say "I'm frazzled!"
etymology
c. 1825, "to unravel" (of clothing), from East Anglian variant of 17c. fasel "to unravel, fray" (as the end of a rope), from Middle English facelyn "to fray" (mid-15c.), from fasylle "fringe, frayed edge," diminutive of Old English fæs "fringe, border." Related: Frazzled, frazzling. Compare German Faser "thread, fiber, filament," Middle Dutch vese "fringe, fiber, chaff." Probably influenced in form by fray (v.).