tuft, toughed

Tuft or tuft means a small clump or cluster of grass, hair, or something else that is attached at the base and loose at the top--
The cat came home with a tuft of feathers in his mouth.
There's nothing left of the lawn but an occasional tuft of grass.

Toughed or toughed ( rhymes with tuft ) is a familar or slang term, most commonly used with "out", meaning lasted, or endured through difficulty--
He wanted to quit, but he toughed it out until the end of the year.
He lost his job, and toughed out a period of unemployment.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"He toughed it out for 6 months, living in the woods, unitl a tuft of hair grew on his chin."

Note--"toughened" is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "toughen", meaning to make stronger or more durable; more resistant to discomfort--
His camping expeience toughened him; he could sleep on the ground comfortably.
Note # 2--"tufted" is the past tense ( yesterday, or some time ago ) of "tuft", meaning to arrange in a clump or cluster, as when making pillows or upholstering furniture--
She wants red velvet tufted pillows for the sofa.
Note # 3--"tough end" ( two words ) would mean the side or part ( end ) that is more difficult or stronger ( tough )--
The test had an easy beginning but a tough end.
Make sure to put the nail through the tough end of theboard.