Ruf·fle v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruffled p. pr. & vb. n. Ruffling ]
1. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle.
2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt.
3. To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion.
The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile. --I. Taylor.
She smoothed the ruffled seas. --Dryden.
4. To erect in a ruff, as feathers.
[the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume. --Tennyson.
5. Mil. To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum.
6. To discompose; to agitate; to disturb.
These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind. --Sir W. Hamilton.
But, ever after, the small violence done
Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart. --Tennyson.
7. To throw into disorder or confusion.
Where best
He might the ruffled foe infest. --Hudibras.
8. To throw together in a disorderly manner. [R.]
I ruffled up falen leaves in heap. --Chapman
To ruffle the feathers of, to exite the resentment of; to irritate.