From Middle English rustelen, russelen, of uncertain origin, but probably from Old English hrūxlian, hristlan, hrystlan, hristlian (“to make a noise”). Compare also Scots reesle (“to crackle; rattle; rustle”), West Frisian risselje, Dutch ritselen (“to rustle”), Afrikaans ritsel (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”).
Meanings
A soft crackling sound similar to the movement of dry leaves.
He heard the silken rustle of a dressing-gown being drawn on. 1994, Stephen Fry, chapter 2, in The Hippopotamus:
From Middle English rustelen, russelen, of uncertain origin, but probably from Old English hrūxlian, hristlan, hrystlan, hristlian (“to make a noise”). Compare also Scots reesle (“to crackle; rattle; rustle”), West Frisian risselje, Dutch ritselen (“to rustle”), Afrikaans ritsel (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”).
Meanings
(ergative) To move (something) with a soft crackling sound.
The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, and the footmen as before; we heard the silk dress rustle, and the lady came down the steps and in an imperious voice, she said, "York, you must put those horses' heads higher, they are not fit to be seen." [1877], Anna Sewell, “Earlshall”, in Black Beauty: […], London: Jarrold and Sons, […], →OCLC, part II, page 104:
(transitive) To make or obtain in a lively, energetic way.
When at last the lumber was piled again in its rightful place, and the boxes of food had been returned to the shelter from which they had been stolen, the two friends rustled a meal, and then set off on horseback […] 1921, William M. McCoy, The Valley of the Sun, page 48:
(transitive) To steal (cattle or other livestock).
uk шарудіти (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · sh шуштање (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · mi kikihi (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · de knistern (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · is skrjáfa (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · cs krást dobytek (to steal cattle or other livestock) · mi wawara (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · hu zizeg (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · fr froufrouter (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · it crepitare (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · mi tihitihi (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · mi ngaehe (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · cs šustit (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · tr hışırdamak (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · pl szeleścić (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · ru уводи́ть (to steal cattle or other livestock) · mi wara (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · ro foșni (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · de rauschen (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · ru шелесте́ть (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · nl ruisen (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · sh шушкање (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · mi tāhae hipi (to steal cattle or other livestock) · fi kahisuttaa (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · bg крада добитък (to steal cattle or other livestock) · pt farfalhar (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · hu suhog (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · de rascheln (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · ru шурша́ть (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · pt frufrulhar (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · mi ngahehe (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · uk шелестіти (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · mi oraora (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · izh rapata (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · bg шумоля (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · mi rorowhio (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · mi tāhae kau (to steal cattle or other livestock) · sh šuštanje (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · sh šuškanje (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · it frusciare (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound) · fi varastaa (to steal cattle or other livestock) · nl ritselen (to move (something) with a soft crackling sound)