rustle

American  

[ruhs-uhl] / ˈrʌs əl /

verb (used without object)

rustled, rustling

1. to make a succession of slight, soft sounds, as of parts rubbing gently one on another, as leaves, silks, or papers.

2. to cause such sounds by moving or stirring something.

3. to move, proceed, or work energetically.

   Rustle around and see what you can find.

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verb (used with object)

rustled, rustling

1. to move or stir so as to cause a rustling sound.

   The wind rustled the leaves.

2. to move, bring, or get by energetic action.

   I'll go rustle some supper.

3. to steal (livestock, especially cattle).

noun

1. the sound made by anything that rustles.

   the rustle of leaves.

verb phrase

1. rustle up to find, gather, or assemble by effort or search.

   to rustle up some wood for a fire.

rustle ¹ British  

/ ˈrʌsəl /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a low crisp whispering or rubbing sound, as of dry leaves or paper

2. to move with such a sound

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noun

1. such a sound or sounds

rustle ² British  

/ ˈrʌsəl /

verb

1. to steal (cattle, horses, etc)

2. informal to move swiftly and energetically

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Other Word Forms

• rustling
  adjective
• rustlingly
  adverb
• unrustling
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of rustle

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English verb rustlen; compare Frisian russelje, Dutch ridselen; imitative of the sound

Explanation

A rustle can be the dry sounds made by papers rubbing together or leaves crackling. It can also be the act of searching, stealing, finding food, or making rustle sounds. Rustle has a whole lotta meanings! Walking home late at night, you hear a rustle behind you. Maybe it’s just leaves, but you’re spooked, so you rustle around in your knapsack, searching for a weapon. You turn, and it’s just a hungry friend, so you bring him home and rustle up some food from your cupboards. As your friend leaves, he rustles all your cows and takes them away.

Example Sentences

The Web can make life worse for vulnerable teenagers—and, this time thanks to Anonymous and Rustle League, it can also make life better.

From Slate • Nov. 21, 2012

At this point, the Internet groups Anonymous and Rustle League showed up in Kylie’s Twitter stream.

From Slate • Nov. 21, 2012

The Anonymous and Rustle League rescuers threatened to post the full names of the teenagers who’d been goading Kylie, unless she made it clear that they’d apologized. 

From Slate • Nov. 21, 2012

I’m not in favor of outing minors for their online misconduct, but I can’t read the full Daily Dot account without cheering for Anonymous and Rustle League.

From Slate • Nov. 21, 2012

Rustle of silk, glare of arms and throat—they belong, to my mind, to such a very different order of things from that we have set up.

From The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith by Pinero, Arthur Wing, Sir

Related Words

• whoosh