maze

Etymology

From Middle English mase, from an aphetic variant of Middle English masen (“to perplex, bewilder”); or perhaps from Old English *mæs (“delusion, bewilderment”); akin to Old English āmasian (“to perplex, confound”), Icelandic masa (“to chatter”). More at amaze.

noun

1. A labyrinth; a puzzle consisting of a complicated network of paths or passages, the aim of which is to find one's way through.
   There's plenty for toddlers too: experience the Wild West in Bear City, play with sand diggers, splash in the paddling pool and discover meerkats, reptiles and alpacas in the Zoo-Farm. Rain doesn't stop play, just head for the indoor fun factory with a rocking and rolling tugboat, mirror maze, ferris wheel and soft play. May 30, 2012, Hayley Spurway, “Top 10 family days out in south Devon”, in the Guardian
2. Something made up of many confused or conflicting elements; a tangle.
   A beech wood with silver firs in it rolled down the face of the hill, and the maze of leafless twigs and dusky spires cut sharp against the soft blueness of the evening sky. 1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 1, in The Dust of Conflict
   The project developer, Poseidon Resources Corp., has been winding its way through a maze of state and local agencies for six years May 11, 2009, “Nation's largest desal project faces financing hurdles”, in New York Times
3. (archaic) Confusion of thought; state of bewilderment.
   But first they came to Canterbury, an olde Citie, somewhat decayed, yet beautiful to behold, most famous for a Cathedrall Church, the very Maiestie whereoff, stroke them into a maze, where they saw many monuments, and heard tell of greater, then either they euer saw, or easely would beleeue. 1580, John Lyly, “Euphues and His England”, in The Complete Works of John Lyly, published 1906, page 36

verb

1. (transitive, archaic) To amaze, astonish, bewilder.
2. (transitive, archaic) To daze or stupefy.
   She rowed back alone, the simple soul that was in her forwandered and mazed with excess of joy. 1895, S. R. Crockett, A Cry Across the Black Water