toughed / tuft [tʌft]
toughed – v. simple past and participle of tough – endured, withstood to the end
tuft – n. & v. – n. – a group of small, usually flexible things, fixed together at the base, a clump of trees, grass, stalks etc.; v. – 1. in sewing, draw two surfaces together to form a raised, decorative area; 2. dislodge game from the undergrowth