/ ˈrʌsl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
if sth dry and light rustles or you rustle it , it makes a sound like paper, leaves, etc. moving or rubbing together :
[ v ]
the sound of the trees rustling in the breeze
[also vn ]
2.
[ vn ] to steal farm animals
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PHRASAL VERBS
- rustle sth up (for sb)
■ noun
[ sing. ] a light dry sound like leaves or pieces of paper moving or rubbing against each other :
There was a rustle of paper as people turned the pages.
I heard a faint rustle in the bushes.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (as a verb): imitative; compare with Flemish rijsselen and Dutch ritselen . The noun dates from the mid 18th cent.