ruffler2 (rufler)

[Early mod. E. also ruf feler; Here's a company of rufflers , that, drinking in the tavern, have made a great brawl. Greene, Friar Bacon and Friar Bungay. Both the Par lament and people complain'd, and demanded Justice for those a aults, if not murders, don at his own dores by that crew of Rufflers . Milton , Eikon ok las tes, iv. Specifically-2†. A bullying thief or beggar; a blustering vagabond. A Ruffeler goeth wyth a weapon to seeke seruice, saying he hath bene a Seruitor in the wars, and beggeth for his reliefe. But his chiefest trade is to rob be poore wayfar ing men and market women. Fraternity of Vagabonds (1561). The Ruffler ... is first in degree of this odious order: and is so called in a statute made for the punishment of vagabonds. Harman , Caveat for Cursetors, p. 14. ruffler3 (ruf'lėr), n. Same as ruffer. ruffler edt, a. [ Three wheru's fyerd glystring, with Soutwynds ruffle red huffling. Stan i hurst , Conceites (ed. Arber), p. 137. ruffleryt, n. [ ruffler2 + -y (see -ery).] Turbulence; violence. [Rare.] But neere ioynctlye brayeth with ruffler ye rumboled Stan i hurst, Æneid, iii. Ætna, Scott , Heart of Mid-Lothian, xlvii. Neptune's ruffles, a retepore. ruffle2+ (ruf'l), v. [ ruffling (ruf'ling), n. [Verbal n. of rufflel, v.] tured ruffle, as prepared for sale: as, three yards of ruffling. Dimity ruffling, a cotton textile, usually white, crinkled or plaited in weaving, the plaits following the length of the stuff. It is cut acro and hemmed, then cut again to the width desired for the ruffle, and sewed fast with the plaits retained.