Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RUF'FLE, v.t. [Belgic, ruyffelen, to wrinkle. Chaucer has riveling, wrinkling, and Spelman cites rifflura or rufflura from Bracton, as signifying in law a breach or laceration of the skin, made by the stroke of a stick.]

1. Properly, to wrinkle; to draw or contract into wrinkles, open plaits or folds. – Addison.
2. To disorder by disturbing a smooth surface; to make uneven by agitation; as, to ruffle the sea or a lake. She smooth'd the ruffl'd seas. – Dryden.
3. To discompose by disturbing a calm state of; to agitate; to disturb; as, to ruffle the mind; to ruffle the passions or the temper. It expresses less than fret and vex.
4. To throw into disorder or confusion. Where best / He might the ruffl'd foe invest. – Hudibras.
5. To throw together in a disorderly manner. I ruffl'd up fall'n leaves in heap. [Unusual.] – Chapman.
6. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt.