rustle

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. - 1994, Stephen Fry, chapter 2, in The Hippopotamus:
  2. A movement producing such a sound.

Origin

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”).

Forms

rustles

Derived

rustle time

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'...
  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 […] -...

    Synonyms: rustle up

  3. To steal (cattle or other livestock).

Forms

rustles rustling rustled

Related

abigeat

Derived

arustle rustler rustle someone's jim-jams rustle someone's jimmies rustle up rustlingly rustly unrustling