I. ˈrəsəl verb
( rustled ; rustled ; rustling -s(ə)liŋ ; rustles )
Etymology: Middle English rustelen, rustlen, rouschelen, probably of imitative origin; in some senses, influenced in meaning by hustle
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make a quick succession of small clear sounds usually by moving
the piny needles rustled down — Zane Grey
their footsteps rustled in the fallen golden leaves — Anne D. Sedgwick
the audience rustles in anticipation — Alfred Bester
b. : to wear clothing that produces soft sounds as one moves
heard his wife rustle
2.
a. : to act or move with great energy and forthrightness
the only thing to do is to rustle around — C.G.Poore
as the jobs began to get scarce, he began to rustle harder — F.B.Gipson
b. : to forage food
he wanted longhorns … they could rustle for themselves, fatten, and make a man money — F.B.Gipson
3. : to steal cattle
transitive verb
1. : to cause to move with quick successive small clear sounds : stir with a rustling noise
rustled the papers nervously
2.
a. : to get by hustling : obtain by one's own exertions : handle actively and energetically
took over all household chores, cleaning and cooking, rustling firewood — Bill Wolf
rustle some dinner together — J.B.Benefield
b. : forage
cows … died of starvation because they didn't know how to rustle a living in among the cactus — Paul Schubert
3. : to take (as cattle) feloniously : steal
they caught him rustling cattle and hung him
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a quick succession or confusion of small clear sounds
a rustle of a window shade — R.P.Warren
the sharp hiss and rustle of the wind — John Muir †1914
heard the rustle of a newspaper — Lyle Saxon
listened to the rustle of her skirts — Gilbert Parker
2. : an act of engaging actively and energetically in some pursuit : hustle