rustling

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of rustle

noun

1. (uncountable)The rounding up and theft of animals, cattle in particular.

   “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.”

2. A series of rustles.

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

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