rustle

Etymology

From Middle English rustelen, russelen, of uncertain origin, but probably from Old English hrūxlian, hristlan, hrystlan, hristlian (“to make a noise”). Compare also Scots reesle (“to crackle; rattle; rustle”), West Frisian risselje, Dutch ritselen (“to rustle”), German rascheln (“to rustle”).

noun

1. A soft crackling sound similar to the movement of dry leaves.
   He heard the silken rustle of a dressing-gown being drawn on. 1994, Stephen Fry, chapter 2, in The Hippopotamus
2. A movement producing such a sound.

verb

1. (ergative) To move (something) with a soft crackling sound.
2. (transitive) To make or obtain in a lively, energetic way.
   When at last the lumber was piled again in its rightful place, and the boxes of food had been returned to the shelter from which they had been stolen, the two friends rustled a meal, and then set off on horseback […] 1921, William M. McCoy, The Valley of the Sun, page 48
3. (transitive) To steal (cattle or other livestock).