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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He is coming; I hear his straw rustle. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prouder than rustling in unpaid-for silk. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To stir about energetically; to strive to succeed; to bustle about. [ Slang, Western U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To steal; -- used of livestock and esp. of cattle. [ PJC ]

To rustle up To gather or find by searching; as, to rustle up some food for supper. [ PJC ]

v. t. To cause to rustle; as, the wind rustles the leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, rustles. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A bovine animal that can care for itself in any circumstances; also, an alert, energetic, driving person. [ Slang, Western U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Free from rust. [ 1913 Webster ]