rustling

From Middle English *rustlynge, rustland, from Old English hrīstlende, *hrȳstlende, present participle of Old English *hrȳstlan (“to rustle”), equivalent to rustle +‎ -ing.

rustling

1. present participle and gerund of rustle

rustling (uncountable)

1. The rounding up and theft of animals, cattle in particular.
   • 2021 September 22, Stephen Roberts, “The writings on the wall...”, in RAIL, number 940, page 71:

     And if you would like one more fact about this worthy, he was responsible for an Act on the statute book abolishing the death penalty for cattle rustling.

From Middle English rusteling, roustlyge, equivalent to rustle +‎ -ing.

rustling (plural rustlings)

1. A series of rustles.
   • 2006 March 29, Richard Daughty, 321gold‎:

     I hear a rustling in the bushes off to my right, and my trigger finger spasms.

   • 2009 January 30, Roberta Smith, “Bonnard Late in Life, Searching for the Light”, in New York Times‎:

     The time in the paintings is also deepened by furtive movements and rustlings, mostly thanks to Bonnard’s figures.

• lustring