noun / verb

rustle

RUS-uhl/ˈrʌsl/

A soft crackling sound, or to make this sound.

Dry leaves rustle in the breeze outside my window.

A close view of dry leaves gently stirring and brushing against one another in a light breeze, evoking their soft crackling sound.

Etymology

Rustle may imitate the soft, rapid sounds it names, but its origin is uncertain. Its early use already connected the sound with movement, as in something moving about noisily.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain43:20

there is a soft rustling in The Twig and blades and the pages of my book rustle

1800s Psychological Audiobook 📖 Venus in Furs — Leopold von Sacher-Masoch

More examples

I hear the rustle of paper as she turns the page.
His jacket rustles whenever he moves his arms.
A faint rustle in the bushes catches our attention.

Forms

rustle · rustles · rustled · rustling

Similar words

crackle: Suggests sharper, more distinct sounds, like those of burning wood.
swish: Suggests a smoother, sweeping sound rather than soft crackling.