noun / verb

fluster

FLUS-ter/ˈflʌstər/

A state of nervous confusion, or to cause this state.

The colleague's additional stack of papers flusters the woman, who begins dropping sheets.

An insistent colleague thrusts a second stack of loose papers toward a woman already struggling with an open folder, visibly flustering her into fumbling and dropping sheets.

Etymology

Fluster probably has a Scandinavian source associated with bustling. Its early use especially concerned agitation or excitement from drink, before it came to describe confusion or embarrassment caused by surprise.

In context

The Corie Sheppard Podcast60:11

but again >> brother that thing go fluster me >> right

What Really Happened | DJ Bravo Explains His Biggest Career Decisions

More examples

She leaves in a fluster and forgets her keys.
The sudden change in plans flustered the whole team.
Please stop rushing me; you're flustering me.

Forms

fluster · flusters · flustered · flustering

Similar words

disconcert: Unsettles someone's confidence without necessarily causing nervous confusion.
agitate: Emphasizes emotional upset or restlessness rather than confused thinking.
confusion: Describes unclear thinking without necessarily involving nervousness or agitation.