Ruf"fian [F. rufien, OF. ruffen, ruffian, pimp. libertine, ake; cf. pr. & Sp. rufian, It. ruffiano; all perhaps of German or Dutch origin; cf. G. raufen to pluck, scuffle, fight, OD. roffen to pander. Cf. Ruffle to grow urbulent.]
1.
A pimp; a pander; also, a paramour.
[Obs.]
he [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians.
Bp. Reynolds.
2.
A boisterous, cruel, brutal fellow; a desperate fellow ready for murderous or cruel deeds; a cutthroat.
Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian?
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Ruf"fian, a.
brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian rage.
© Webster 1913.
Ruf"fian, v. i.
To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.
[R.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913.