† rastelingn.
Origin: Of uncertain origin. Perhaps an imitative or expressive formation.
Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps ultimately imitative. Perhaps compare rattling n., rottling n. at rottle v. Derivatives, ruttling n. and adj. at ruttle v. Derivatives, rustling n., and perhaps also Middle English rast to speak indistinctly, stammer (early 14th cent., rare: see Middle Eng. Dict. at rasten v.).It is uncertain whether the following (perhaps with the sense ‘noisy yawning’) shows the same word (perhaps compare raxle v.):c1460 (c1450) P. Idley Instr. to his Son (Laud) (1935) ii. B. 920 Rastyllyng [c1475 Cambr. this slouthe man whan he doith arise Must doo his homage to Treselencellis as his duete, And with rubbyng and rustelyng do hym sacrifice].
Obsolete.
rare.
a1500 (?a1400) (Trin. Dublin) 943 (MED) Alexander..Herd suche a rastelyng [c1450 Ashm. Sees slike a rottillyng] in þe realm, & rydez þe faster.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2008; most recently modified version published online December 2021).