transitive verb rifled -·fled, rifling -·fling

1. to cut spiral grooves on the inside of (a gun barrel, etc.)
2. ☆

   Etymology: < riflethe

   to hurl or throw with great speed

Etymology: Fr rifler, to scrape, scratch < OFr < MHG riffeln, to scratch, heckle (flax) < OHG riffilon, akin to ripple

noun

1. 1. ☆ a gun, fired from the shoulder, with spiral grooves cut into the inner surface of the barrel
   2. a rifled artillery piece
2. troops armed with rifles

Etymology: short for rifled gun

transitive verb rifled -·fled, rifling -·fling

1. 1. to ransack and rob (a place); pillage; plunder
   2. Now Rare to search and rob (a person)
2. to take as plunder; steal

Etymology: ME riflen < OFr rifler, to plunder, orig., to scratch: see rifle