I. ˈrə-fəl verb
( ruf·fled ; ruf·fling -f(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : roughen , abrade
b. : trouble , vex
is not ruffled by such barbs — Bruce Anderson
2. : to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff
3.
a. : to flip through (as pages)
b. : shuffle
4. : to make into a ruffle
intransitive verb
: to become ruffled
their dispositions ruffle perceptibly — Life
II. noun
Date: 1534
1. : commotion , brawl
2. : a state or cause of irritation
3.
a. : a strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge
b. : ruff II,2
4. : an unevenness or disturbance of surface : ripple
• ruf·fly ˈrə-f(ə-)lē adjective
III. noun
Etymology: ruff a drumbeat
Date: circa 1802
: a low vibrating drumbeat less loud than a roll