If a bird ruffles its feathers or if its feathers ruffle, they stand out on its body, for example when it is cleaning itself or when it is frightened. Tame birds, when approached, will stretch out their necks and ruffle their neck feathering Its body plumage suddenly began to ruffle and swell
Ruffles are folds of cloth at the neck or the ends of the arms of a piece of clothing, or are sometimes sewn on things as a decoration. a white blouse with ruffles at the neck and cuffs
If something ruffles someone, it causes them to panic and lose their confidence or to become angry or upset. I could tell that my refusal to allow him to ruffle me infuriated him
discompose; "This play is going to ruffle some people"; "She has a way of ruffling feathers among her colleagues"
If you ruffle someone's hair, you move your hand backwards and forwards through it as a way of showing your affection towards them. `Don't let that get you down,' he said ruffling Ben's dark curls