Etymology: Probably originally < ruffle v.¹, although in abstract senses examples of this word are difficult to distinguish from those of ruffle n.², and some senses listed here may instead belong at that entry. With concrete uses in branch II. compare also ruff n.³ Perhaps compare also early modern Dutch ruyffel wrinkle (1599 in Kiliaan, although he may be influenced by rivel n.¹, which he compares).

Etymology: Probably originally < ruffle v.², although in later use examples of this word are difficult to distinguish from those of ruffle n.¹ I., and may instead belong at that entry (compare especially ruffle n.¹ 2 and 3). It is also possible that some of the senses given here have distinct origins from one another. Compare ruffle v.¹, ruffle v.², and discussion at those entries.With senses 3 and 4 compare ruff n.²

Etymology: Apparently either an alteration of or an error for ruffe n., perhaps partly by association with ruffle n.¹, ruffle n.² or the corresponding verbs.

Etymology: Probably < a first element imitative of a drum roll (compare ruff n.⁸) with addition of an ending perhaps reflecting frequentative verbs in -le suffix 3 and related nouns (compare e.g. rattle n.¹, rumble n.¹, etc.), or perhaps after ruffle n.¹ or ruffle n.² Compare Dutch roffel (1688), Portuguese rufla (a1720). Compare later ruffle v.³

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps a frequentative formation in -le suffix 3, although the identity of the first element is uncertain. Compare ruffle v.² and see discussion at that entry. Perhaps compare also rivel v.¹ and (especially with sense 8) rifle v.¹ (compare β. forms at that entry).Examples of this word are difficult to distinguish from those of ruffle v.²; some of the less concrete senses given here are semantically close to figurative senses at ruffle v.² and may instead represent developments of that word. Perhaps compare early modern Dutch ruyffelen to wrinkle, to furrow (1599 in Kiliaan, although he may have been influenced by the English word or by rivel v.¹, both of which he compares), and possibly also Middle Low German rüfelen to heap up loosely, and Anglo-Norman rofler , rufler , rufeler rifle v.¹ Perhaps compare also Dutch roffelen to shave, plane (wood), to work roughly, botch, Middle Low German ruffelen to rub, to scrub, German regional (Low German: East Friesland) ruffelen to work in a quick and slovenly way, Old Icelandic hrufla to scratch, to be scratched, Norwegian regional rufla to work in a quick and slovenly way, to scrape, scrub, also (with different suffix) rufsa to work in a quick and slovenly way, Swedish regional rufäl to work in a slovenly untidy way, all perhaps < a derivative of an ablaut variant (zero-grade) of the same base as Old Icelandic rjúva (compare Old English rofen ): see reave v.¹, rub v.¹ However, none of these words is especially close in meaning to the present word and they may be unrelated to it.

Etymology: Origin uncertain. Perhaps ultimately an expressive formation in -le suffix 3, although examples of this word are difficult to distinguish from figurative uses of ruffle v.¹, and it may be that some senses given here belong at that entry instead. It is also possible that some of the senses listed at this entry have different immediate origins from one another.Many of the senses here appear to be associated with rough adj., and it is not always clear how far this association is secondary. With senses 1 and 6 perhaps compare Dutch roffelen to beat, thrash, fight (1644), to seize, grab (1727) and ruifelen to grab, snatch (c1538), to beat, thrash (19th cent.). In sense 2 perhaps with allusion to the movement of costly or ostentatious clothing (compare rustle v. 2c and also ruffle n.¹ 7, with which the verb appears to be associated in later use), although perhaps compare Dutch roffelen to babble, chatter, gabble (1635); compare also ruff n.² With senses 2 and 3 perhaps compare also ruffian v. and French forms cited at that entry. With sense 6 compare rifle v.¹ In senses 1, 2 apparently obsolete from before 1700 until revived by Scott.

Etymology: Either < ruffle n.⁴ or from the same imitative first element + -le suffix 3. Compare slightly earlier ruffling n.³