Rus"tle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rustled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Rustling (?).] [AS. hristlan to rustle; or cf. Sw. rusta to stir, make a riot, or E. rush, v.]
1.
To make a quick succession of small sounds, like the rubbing or moving of silk cloth or dry leaves.
He is coming; I hear his straw rustle.
Shak.
Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk.
Shak.
2.
To stir about energetically; to strive to succeed; to bustle about.
[Slang, Western U.S.]
<-- To steal, esp. cattle -->
© Webster 1913.
Rus"tle, v. t.
To cause to rustle; as, the wind rustles the leaves.
© Webster 1913.
Rus"tle, n.
A quick succession or confusion of small sounds, like those made by shaking leaves or straw, by rubbing silk, or the like; a rustling.
When the noise of a torrent, the rustle of a wood, the song of birds, or the play of lambs, had power to fill the attention, and suspend all perception of the course of time.
Idler.
© Webster 1913.