Etymology: Origin unknown. Compare later ruffy n.²

Etymology: Origin unknown. Apparently related to ruffle v.² (compare sense 2 at that entry). Compare later ruff v.³Perhaps originally imitative of a blowing noise, the proud or elated individual being conceived as ‘puffed up’ or ‘full of hot air’ (compare with similar senses puff n. 6, huff n. 2).

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps < rough adj. (compare γ. forms at that entry). Compare ruffle n.¹ and earlier ruffle v.¹It is unclear whether the following represents an antedating of sense 4 or an otherwise unrecorded sense ‘(ostrich) feather, curled tail plume’: 1480 Cely Papers in Eng. Stud. (1961) 42 134 An hoystyrs ruyffe. Idem, an blake ffedyr.

Etymology: In sense 1 of uncertain origin; perhaps (i) < Middle French roffle (1537), Middle French, French †roufle (1464; 1414 as ronfle, c1550 as romfle), the name of a card game, of uncertain origin, or perhaps (ii) < Italian ronfa (a1537), probably shortened < trionfo triumph n. (see triumph n. 8 and compare trump n.²). In sense 2 perhaps independently < ruff v.² (compare ruff v.² 2). N.E.D. (1910) at Ruff sb.³ notes ‘Godefroy also cites a F. dial. roufe as meaning “the highest of two cards which one returns along with the trump-card in the game of quarante”’, but this appears to represent a misreading of or error for the form ronfe in the original text.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps the same word as ruffe n., although it seems likely that a larger species is intended.The term used by Pliny in the passage corresponding to quot. 1601 is classical Latin porculus marīnus, literally ‘sea pig’, which meant ‘porpoise’ in later zoological writers, and was accordingly translated marsouin in the French version of this text. However, this is unlikely to have been Pliny's sense, and it has been argued that his porculus marīnus was in fact the shark Oxynotus centrina (family Oxynotidae), which has distinctive spiked dorsal fins and bristly-textured skin. For further discussion see A. C. Andrews (1948) in Trans. & Proc. Amer. Philol. Assoc. 79 240–2.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Compare reeve n.³ and earlier ree n.¹It has been argued that this word represents a use as noun of a reflex of Old English hrēoh rough (see reigh adj.) in west-midland and southern dialects which do not show Middle English unrounding of ēo , with allusion to the aggressive nature of these birds (compare ree n.¹ and see discussion at that entry). However, early evidence to support this argument is lacking. Alternatively, it is often explained as an extended sense of ruff n.³ (compare ruff n.³ 2 and 4), with allusion to the large collar of ornamental neck feathers that forms part of the male bird's breeding plumage, although this would not account for either reeve n.³ or earlier ree n.¹ Whatever the origin of this name, the bird was clearly associated with the item of clothing (ruff n.³) from an early date. Compare the following, apparently describing this bird:1586 (title) A most wonderfull, and true report, the like neuer hearde of before, of diuerse vnknowne Foules: hauing the Fethers about their heads, and neckes, like to the frysled fore-tops, Lockes, and great Ruffes, now in vse among men, and wemen.1595 T. I. World of Wonders sig. D.3^v But what then may be sayd of the straunge birds or fowles taken by Richard Waller..hauing also great feathers about their neckes growing and standing very high, very euen and in the very forme of our greatest set of ruffes.

Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps compare earlier ruffian n., ruffy n.¹Perhaps compare also the following, showing Ruf as the name of a comic character: ?1570 T. Preston Lamentable Trag. Cambises sig. A.iv^v Enter three Ruffians, Huf, Ruf and Snuf singing.

Etymology: Probably imitative of the sound of a drum roll. Compare Portuguese rufo (1789 in music), also of imitative origin. Compare ruffle n.⁴

Etymology: < the name of W. Ruff, founder editor of Guide to the Turf or Pocket Racing Companion (1842–53), a twice-yearly compendium of horse-racing information, subsequently published as Ruff's Guide to the Turf and since 1869 incorporating various other racing periodicals.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps an extended use of ruffe n. Compare earlier roughy n. and discussion at that entry, and compare also tommy rough n. and tommy ruff n. at Tommy n.¹ Compounds.

Etymology: Probably < ruff n.³ Compare earlier ruffle v.¹

Etymology: Apparently < ruff n.⁴

Etymology: < ruff n.² Compare earlier ruffle v.² 2. Earlier currency may be implied by ruffing adj.¹

Etymology: Either < ruff n.⁸ (although this is first attested slightly later) or of similar imitative origin. Compare Portuguese rufar (1836). Compare later ruffle n.⁴, ruffle v.³

Etymology: Originally a variant of rough v.², subsequently distinguished in spelling in the senses below. Compare ruffed adj.², earlier ruffing n.³, and later ruffer n.²

Etymology: Imitative of a dog's bark. Compare earlier woof int. and n.²