ruffle

Meanings

Any gathered or curled strip of fabric added as trim or decoration.
Disturbance; agitation; commotion.
A low, vibrating beat of a drum, quieter than a roll; a ruff.
The connected series of large egg capsules, or oothecae, of several species of American marine gastropods of the genus Fulgur.

To make a ruffle in; to curl or flute, as an edge of fabric.
To disturb; especially, to cause to flutter.
To grow rough, boisterous, or turbulent.
To become disordered; to play loosely; to flutter.
To be rough; to jar; to be in contention; hence, to put on airs; to swagger.
To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
To throw together in a disorderly manner.

From Middle English ruffelen, perhaps from Old Norse hrufla or Middle Low German ruffelen. Further origin unknown. Related to Middle Dutch ruyffelen, German Low German ruffeln. See English ruff.

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