rustle

From Middle English rustelen, russelen, of uncertain origin, but probably from Old English hrūxlian, hristlan, hrystlan, hristlian (“to make a noise”). Compare also Scots reesle (“to crackle; rattle; rustle”), West Frisian risselje, Dutch ritselen (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈɹʌsəl/
• Rhymes: -ʌsəl
• Homophone: Russell

rustle (plural rustles)

1. A soft crackling sound similar to the movement of dry leaves.
   • 1994, Stephen Fry, chapter 2, in The Hippopotamus:

     He heard the silken rustle of a dressing-gown being drawn on.

2. A movement producing such a sound.

rustle (third-person singular simple present rustles, present participle rustling, simple past and past participle rustled)

1. (ergative) To move (something) with a soft crackling sound.
   • 1877, Anna Sewell, Black Beauty Chapter 22

     The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, and the footmen as before; we heard the silk dress rustle, and the lady came down the steps and in an imperious voice, she said, "York, you must put those horses' heads higher, they are not fit to be seen."

2. (transitive) To make or obtain in a lively, energetic way.

   Synonym: rustle up

   • 1921, William M. McCoy, The Valley of the Sun (page 48)

     When at last the lumber was piled again in its rightful place, and the boxes of food had been returned to the shelter from which they had been stolen, the two friends rustled a meal, and then set off on horseback […]

3. (transitive) To steal (cattle or other livestock).

• rustler
• rustle up

• abigeat

• Ulster, lurest, luster, lustre, luters, result, rulest, sutler, truels, ulster