rustle Hear it!

rustle1 definition

rus·tle (rus′əl)

intransitive verb, transitive verb rustled -·tled, rustling -·tling

to make or cause to make an irregular succession of soft sounds, as of leaves being moved by a gentle breeze or of papers being shuffled

Etymology: ME rustelen, freq. formation < ME rouslen, akin to earlier Fl ruysselen < WGmc echoic base

noun

such a succession of sounds

Related Forms:

rustle2 definition

rus·tle (rus′əl)

intransitive verb, transitive verb rustled -·tled, rustling -·tling

  1. Informal to work or proceed with, or move, bring, or get by, energetic or vigorous action
  2. ☆
    1. Archaic in the W U.S., to round up (cattle, horses, etc.)
    2. Informal to steal (cattle, horses, etc.)

Etymology: < ? rush + hustle

Related Forms:

rustle Idioms

rustle up

☆
Informal to collect or get together, as by foraging

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.