- trouble (v.)
- early 13c., from O.Fr. trubler (11c.), metathesis of turbler, from V.L. *turbulare, from L.L. turbidare "to trouble, make turbid," from L. turbidus (see turbid). The noun is attested from early 13c.; troublesome is attested by 1540s. Troubled in ref. to waters, etc., is from late 14c. A trouble-shooter (1905) was originally one who works on telegraph or telephone lines. The Troubles in ref. to times of violence and unrest in Ireland is attested from 1880, in ref. to the rebellion of 1640s.