to ruffle the feathers of
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Ruffle \Ruf"fle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruffled; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruffling.] [From Ruff a plaited collar, a drum beat, a tumult: cf. OD. ruyffelen to wrinkle.]
1.To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle. [1913 Webster]
2.To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt. [1913 Webster]
3.To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion. [1913 Webster]
The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile.— I. Taylor.[1913 Webster]
She smoothed the ruffled seas.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
4.To erect in a ruff, as feathers. [1913 Webster]
[the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]
5.(Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. [1913 Webster]
6.To discompose; to agitate; to disturb. [1913 Webster]
These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind.— Sir W. Hamilton.[1913 Webster]
But, ever after, the small violence done Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]
7.To throw into disorder or confusion. [1913 Webster]
Where best He might the ruffled foe infest.— Hudibras.[1913 Webster]
8.To throw together in a disorderly manner. [R.] [1913 Webster]
I ruffled up falen leaves in heap.— Chapman[1913 Webster]
To ruffle the feathers of, to exite the resentment of; to irritate. [1913 Webster]