Main Entry: ¹ruf·fle

Pronunciation: \ˈrə-fəl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): ruf·fled; ruf·fling \-f(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology: Middle English ruffelen; akin to Low German ruffelen to crumple

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : roughen, abrade b : trouble, vex <is not ruffled by such barbs — Bruce Anderson>
2 : to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff
3 a : to flip through (as pages) b : shuffle
4 : to make into a ruffleintransitive verb : to become ruffled <their dispositions ruffle perceptibly — Life>