\Ruf"fle\, 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.
2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt.
3. To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by
   agitation or commotion.
         The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled
         the placid bosom of the Nile.         --I. Taylor.
         She smoothed the ruffled seas.        --Dryden.
4. To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
         [the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume. --Tennyson.
5. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
6. To discompose; to agitate; to disturb.
         These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind. --Sir W.
                                               Hamilton.
         But, ever after, the small violence done Rankled in
         him and ruffled all his heart.        --Tennyson.
7. To throw into disorder or confusion.
         Where best He might the ruffled foe infest.
                                               --Hudibras.
8. To throw together in a disorderly manner. [R.]
         I ruffled up falen leaves in heap.    --Chapman
{To ruffle the feathers of}, to exite the resentment of; to
   irritate.

\Ruf"fle\, 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.]
         The night comes on, and the bleak winds Do sorely
         ruffle.                               --Shak.
2. To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
         On his right shoulder his thick mane reclined,
         Ruffles at speed, and dances in the wind. --Dryden.
3. To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on
   airs; to swagger.
         They would ruffle with jurors.        --Bacon.
         Gallants who ruffled in silk and embroidery. --Sir
                                               W. Scott.

\Ruf"fle\, 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.
2. A state of being ruffled or disturbed; disturbance;
   agitation; commotion; as, to put the mind in a ruffle.
3. (Mil.) A low, vibrating beat of a drum, not so loud as a
   roll; -- called also {ruff}. --H. L. Scott.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The connected series of large egg capsules, or
   o["o]thec[ae], of any one of several species of American
   marine gastropods of the genus {Fulgur}. See {O["o]theca}.
{Ruffle of a boot}, the top turned down, and scalloped or
   plaited. --Halliwell.