Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RUF'FIAN, n. [If this word signifies primarily a robber, it is from the root of rob, Sw. röfva, Dan. röver. In Scottish, ruffie is a worthless fellow. In It. ruffiano is a pimp, Sp. rufian, Port. rufiam; D. roffiaan, id.]

A boisterous, brutal fellow; a fellow ready for any desperate crime; a robber; a cut-throat; a murderer. – Addison.