rustle

Rustle is a word with several related meanings in English. As a verb, it most often describes a light, soft, fluttering sound produced by the movement of dry leaves, grasses, paper, or fabric. The action can be described as rustling, or something can rustle, for example wind rustling through trees or fabric rustling in the breeze. As a noun, rustle can refer to the sound itself or to the act of making that sound.

The term also has a specialized sense related to livestock theft. Cattle rustling refers to the illicit act of stealing cattle, a practice historically associated with cattle ranching regions and frontier areas. A person who engages in this activity is called a rustler. The phrase appears in legal, historical, and literary contexts and is generally treated as a criminal activity.

In addition to these senses, rustle can describe a type of sound quality in fabrics and clothing. Some materials, such as silk or tulle, are described as having a distinct rustle when they move, contributing to sensory descriptions in fashion and theater. The informal expression “rustle up” means to quickly gather or prepare something, or to obtain resources or arrangements with relative ease.

Overall, rustle encompasses both a natural, everyday acoustic phenomenon and a historical term linked to livestock theft, with occasional use in textiles and informal phrases.