Brus·tle v. i. [imp. & p. p. Brustled p. pr. & vb. n. Brustling ] 1. To crackle; to rustle, as a silk garment. [Obs.] 2. To make a show of fierceness or defiance; to bristle. [Obs.] To brustle up, to bristle up. [Obs.]