rustle

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: rustlingwhisperwhisperinglift

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a light noise, like the noise of silk clothing or leaves blowing in the windSynonyms: rustlingwhisperwhispering

Verb (3)

  1. make a dry crackling sound“rustling silk”“the dry leaves were rustling in the breeze”
  2. take illegally“rustle cattle”Synonyms: lift
  3. forage food
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Rustle \Rus"tle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rustled; p. pr. & vb. n. Rustling.] [AS. hristlan to rustle; or cf. Sw. rusta to stir, make a riot, or E. rush, v.]

1.To make a quick succession of small sounds, like the rubbing or moving of silk cloth or dry leaves. [1913 Webster]

He is coming; I hear his straw rustle.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.To stir about energetically; to strive to succeed; to bustle about. [Slang, Western U.S.] [1913 Webster]

3.To steal; -- used of livestock and esp. of cattle. [PJC]

To rustle up To gather or find by searching; as, to rustle up some food for supper. [PJC]

Rustle \Rus"tle\, v. t. To cause to rustle; as, the wind rustles the leaves. [1913 Webster]
Rustle \Rus"tle\, n. A quick succession or confusion of small sounds, like those made by shaking leaves or straw, by rubbing silk, or the like; a rustling. [1913 Webster]

When the noise of a torrent, the rustle of a wood, the song of birds, or the play of lambs, had power to fill the attention, and suspend all perception of the course of time. --Idler. [1913 Webster]

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