Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Origin: Perhaps copying the action

ruffle

1 verb
     
ruf‧fle1 [transitive]
1 also ruffle something ↔ up to make a smooth surface uneven:
He ruffled her hair affectionately.
A light wind ruffled the water.
2 to offend or upset someone slightly:
Louise's sharp comments had ruffled his pride.
ruffle somebody's feathers (=offend someone)
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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