rustling
The rounding up and theft of animals, cattle in particular.
Noun
- The rounding up and theft of animals, cattle in particular.
- And if you would like one more fact about this worthy, he was responsible for an Act on the statute book abolishing the death penalty for cattle rustling. - 2021 September 22, Stephen Roberts, “The writings on the...
Origin
From Middle English *rustlynge, rustland, from Old English hrīstlende, *hrȳstlende, present participle of Old English *hrȳstlan (“to rustle”), equivalent to rustle + -ing.
Noun Entry 2
- A series of rustles.
- I hear a rustling in the bushes off to my right, and my trigger finger spasms. - 2006 March 29, Richard Daughty, 321gold:
- The time in the paintings is also deepened by furtive movements and rustlings, mostly thanks to Bonnard’s figures. - 2009 January 30, Roberta Smith, “Bonnard Late in Life, Searching for the Light”, in New York Times:
Origin
From Middle English rusteling, roustlyge, equivalent to rustle + -ing.
Forms
Verb
- present participle and gerund of rustle