I. ri ‧ fle 1 /ˈraɪf ə l/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Origin: rifle 'to cut grooves on the inside of something, especially a gun barrel' (17-21 centuries) , from Old French rifler 'to cut into a surface, steal' ]
a long gun which you hold up to your shoulder to shoot ⇨ pistol
II. rifle 2 BrE AmE ( also rifle through ) verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: rifler ; ⇨ ↑ rifle 1 ]
to search a place or container quickly because you are looking for something, especially something to steal:
Sally rifled through her wardrobe looking for a dress.
The killer had rifled his wallet and stolen £200.