[dis.turb] vb [ME disturben, destourben, fr. OF & L; OF destourber, fr. L disturbare, fr. dis- + turbare to throw into disorder, fr. turba disorder--more at turbid] vt (14c) 1 a: to interfere with: interrupt b: to alter the position or arrangement of c: to upset the natural and esp. the ecological balance or relations of "land ~ed by dumping"
2. a: to destroy the tranquillity or composure of b: to throw into disorder c: alarm d: to put to inconvenience ~ vi: to cause disturbance syn see discompose -- dis.turb.er n -- dis.turb.ing.ly adv