rustling

Etymology 1

From Middle English *rustlynge, rustland, from Old English hrīstlende, *hrȳstlende, present participle of Old English *hrȳstlan (“to rustle”), equivalent to rustle + -ing.

verb

1. present participle and gerund of rustle

noun

1. The rounding up and theft of animals, cattle in particular.
   And if you would like one more fact about this worthy, he was responsible for an Act on the statute book abolishing the death penalty for cattle rustling. September 22 2021, Stephen Roberts, “The writings on the wall...”, in RAIL, number 940, page 71

Etymology 2

From Middle English rusteling, roustlyge, equivalent to rustle + -ing.

noun

1. A series of rustles.
   I hear a rustling in the bushes off to my right, and my trigger finger spasms. March 29 2006, Richard Daughty, 321gold
   The time in the paintings is also deepened by furtive movements and rustlings, mostly thanks to Bonnard’s figures. January 30, 2009, Roberta Smith, “Bonnard Late in Life, Searching for the Light”, in New York Times