I. ˈrəmbəl verb
( rumbled ; rumbled ; rumbling -b(ə)liŋ ; rumbles )
Etymology: Middle English rumblen, romblen; akin to Middle High German rummeln to rumble, Old Swedish rumbla and probably to Old Norse rymja to roar, grumble — more at rumor
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make a low heavy rolling sound
thunder which rumbles ominously, yet, because of distance, is all but inaudible — Erle Stanley Garner
the camels' bellies rumbling to the water they held — I.L.Idriess
the dark spaces between the walls rumble with strange and appalling noises — Sherwood Anderson
b.
(1) : to travel as a low reverberating sound
rumbling through the racy air — the unmistakable sound of a horn — Blanche E. Baughan
(2) : to travel or go with an accompanying low heavy sound
mule-drawn freight wagons rumbled through the town — American Guide Series: Texas
c. : to speak in a low rolling tone
heard him rumbling to himself as they went out — Grace Campbell
2. : to constitute or create a disturbing factor : represent a state of unrest
there had been rumbling in the Head Camp a controversy of no mean proportions — C.W.Ferguson
3. slang : to engage in a rumble
the Cherubs are rumbling — Walter Bernstein
transitive verb
1.
a. : to utter or emit in a low rolling voice
rumbled that one of his children liked frogs — Yankee
b. chiefly Britain : to stir up or knock about with a rumbling sound
2.
a. slang : to detect or see through (as a trick, a trickster)
dice are almost never gaffed so that the same numbers always come up because even the greenest mark would rumble that in short order — John Scarne & Clayton Rawson
b. slang : to give oneself away to or become detected by (as the intended victim) while in the act of committing a crime : excite the suspicion of
I read the financial pages and the investment journals so I won't slip up and rumble the mark — D.W.Maurer
3. : to polish or otherwise treat (metal parts) in a tumbling barrel
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English rumbel, from rumblen, romblen to rumble
1.
a. : a low heavy continuous reverberating often muffled sound (as of heavy vehicles, distant thunder)
as the train lost speed the smooth rumble of wheels over rails broke into a series of rattling thumps — John Dos Passos
could hear the rumble of a man's voice … but I couldn't hear the words — Erle Stanley Gardner
b. : low-frequency noise in disc recording or reproduction caused by low-frequency vibration mechanically transmitted to the turntable or pickup
2.
a.
[short for rumble-tumble ]
: a seat for servants behind the body of a carriage
b.
[by shortening]
: rumble seat
3. : tumbling barrel
4. : something that breaks in upon or upsets a peaceful state of affairs: as
a. : a generalized or widespread expression of dissatisfaction or unrest
rumbles of opposition arose in the counties — J.N.Popham
b. : rumor , complaint
picked up the rumble … and thought he'd pass it on just in case — P.A.Brodeur
c. : quarrel , disturbance
d. slang
(1) : detection in a criminal act
(2) : a search by law enforcement officials of premises or a neighborhood for narcotics or narcotics peddlers
e. slang : a street fight especially among teenage gangs
down in the basement of a candy store, getting their switchblade knives, zip guns, and Molotov cocktails ready for a rumble — Marjorie Rittwagen