v. & n.
--v.
1. intr. & tr. make or cause to make a gentle sound as of dry leaves blown in a breeze.
2 intr. (often foll. by along etc.) move with a rustling sound.
3 tr. (also absol.) steal (cattle or horses).
4 intr. US colloq. hustle.
--n. a rustling sound or movement.
Phrases and idioms:
rustle up colloq. produce quickly when needed.
Derivatives:
rustler n. (esp. in sense 3 of v.).
Etymology: ME rustel etc. (imit.): cf. obs. Flem. ruysselen, Du. ritselen