Rŭf'fian1, n.
(rŭf'yan, or rŭf'fi-an), n. [Fr. ruffien, rufien, Pr. & Sp. rufian, Pg. rufiam, It. ruffiano, a pimp, libertine, rake, probably from Ger. raufen, to pluck, scuffle, fight, It. arruffare, to ruffle the hair, arruffarsi, to take each other by the hair.] 1. A pimp; a pander; a procurer; a paramour. [Obs.] He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians. Reynolds. 2. A boisterous, brutal fellow; a fellow ready for any desperate crime; a robber; a cut-throat; a murderer. “On thy death-bed play the ruffian.” Shak.