ruckle

1 of 2

intransitive verb

ruck·​le
ˈrəkəl,
ˈru̇k-
ruckled; ruckled; ruckling
-k(ə)liŋ
; ruckles
dialectal, British
: to make a hoarse rattling sound (as from suffocation)
asses braying and camels rucklingI. M. Lask

ruckle

2 of 2

verb

ruck·​le
ˈrəkəl
ruckled; ruckled; ruckling
-k(ə)liŋ
; ruckles
British
: to form or work into folds : crumple, wrinkle

Word History

Etymology

Intransitive verb

of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hrygla to rattle in the throat; akin to Middle High German rückeln, rüheln to rattle in the throat, roar, Old English hrog mucus, phlegm, Lithuanian kraũkti to croak, groan, Old Slavic krukŭ raven, Latin corvus, raven, crepare to crack, creak

Verb

ruck entry 3 + -le

First Known Use

Intransitive Verb

1700, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1695, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruckle was in 1695

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near ruckle

Cite this Entry

“Ruckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruckle. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!