v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ruffled p. pr. & vb. n. Ruffling ] [ From Ruff a plaited collar, a drum beat, a tumult: cf. OD. ruyffelen to wrinkle. ] 1. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

She smoothed the ruffled seas. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To erect in a ruff, as feathers. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ the swan ] ruffles her pure cold plume. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To discompose; to agitate; to disturb. [ 1913 Webster ]

These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

But, ever after, the small violence done
Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To throw into disorder or confusion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where best
He might the ruffled foe infest. Hudibras. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. To throw together in a disorderly manner. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I ruffled up falen leaves in heap. Chapman [ 1913 Webster ]

To ruffle the feathers of, to exite the resentment of; to irritate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Perhaps of different origin from ruffle to wrinkle; cf. OD. roffeln, roffen, to pander, LG. raffein, Dan. ruffer a pimp. Cf. Rufflan. ] 1. To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The night comes on, and the bleak winds
Do sorely ruffle. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter. [ 1913 Webster ]

On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined,
Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger. [ 1913 Webster ]

They would ruffle with jurors. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Ruffle, v. t. & i. ] 1. That which is ruffled; specifically, a strip of lace, cambric, or other fine cloth, plaited or gathered on one edge or in the middle, and used as a trimming; a frill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A state of being ruffled or disturbed; disturbance; agitation; commotion; as, to put the mind in a ruffle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a roll; -- called also ruff. H. L. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Zool.) The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of any one of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur. See Ootheca. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ruffle of a boot, the top turned down, and scalloped or plaited. Halliwell. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having no ruffle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of ruffling. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who ruffles; a swaggerer; a bully; a ruffian. [ 1913 Webster ]

Assaults, if not murders, done at his own doors by that crew of rufflers. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which ruffles; specifically, a sewing machine attachment for making ruffles. [ 1913 Webster ]