verb
rustle
To steal livestock.
Thieves rustle cattle from isolated ranches and sell them elsewhere.
Etymology
The livestock-theft sense developed in American usage associated with taking cattle or horses. Its precise relation to rustle's other senses is uncertain.
More examples
- Someone rustled six sheep from our pasture last night.
- The rancher catches two men rustling his horses.
- The gang rustles cattle under cover of darkness.
Forms
rustle · rustles · rustled · rustling
rustler noun — A person who steals livestock.
Similar words
- steal
- Steal applies to any property, not just livestock.