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 verb1 a: roughen, abrade b: trouble, vex <is not ruffled by such barbs — Bruce Anderson>2: to erect (as feathers) in or like a ruff3 a: to flip through (as pages) b: shuffle4: to make into a ruffleintransitive verb: to become ruffled <their dispositions ruffle perceptibly — Life>