to ponder or study over some perplexing problem or matter.
Verb phrase
12.
puzzle out, to solve by careful study or effort: I was unable to puzzle out the message.
Origin: 1585–95; origin uncertain
Related forms
puz·zled·ly, adverb
puz·zled·ness, noun
un·puz·zle, verb (used with object), -zled, -zling.
Synonyms 2.Puzzle,riddle,enigma refer to something baffling or confusing that is to be solved. A puzzle is a question or problem, intricate enough to be perplexing to the mind; it is sometimes a contrivance made purposely perplexing to test one's ingenuity: a crossword puzzle; The reason for their behavior remains a puzzle. A riddle is an intentionally obscure statement or question, the meaning of or answer to which is to be arrived at only by guessing: the famous riddle of the Sphinx. Enigma, originally meaning riddle, now refers to some baffling problem with connotations of mysteriousness: He will always be an enigma to me. 6. confound.
1590s, pusle "bewilder, confound," possibly frequentative of pose (v.) in obsolete sense of "perplex" (cf. nuzzle from nose). The noun meaning "state of being puzzled" is recorded from c.1600, from the verb; meaning "perplexing question" is from 1650s; that of "a toy contrived to test one's ingenuity"