rustle

nounverbattested in dialogue

//ˈɹʌsəl//

A soft crackling sound similar to the movement of dry leaves.

noun

1
A soft crackling sound similar to the movement of dry leaves.
He heard the silken rustle of a dressing-gown being drawn on.
2
A movement producing such a sound.

Etymology

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”), Afrikaans ritsel (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”).

verb

1
To move (something) with a soft crackling sound.
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
To make or obtain in a lively, energetic way.
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
To steal (cattle or other livestock).

Forms

plural: rustles
past tense: rustled
past participle: rustled
present participle: rustling
third person singular: rustles

Russo · A surname.rust · The deteriorated state of iron or steel as a result of…Rust · A surname.

rustle · A soft crackling sound similar to the movement of dry leaves.

rustling · The rounding up and theft of animals, cattle in particular.rusty · Marked or corroded by rust.Rusty · A male given name.

The neighbouring pages — Alphabetical order follows the rules of the language, not byte values: an accent decides only between two otherwise identical words, and Spanish files Ñ as a letter of its own.