• IPA: /ˈɹʌfi.ən/

ruffian (plural ruffians)

1. A scoundrel, rascal, or unprincipled, deceitful, brutal and unreliable person.

   Synonyms: rogue, scamp, Thesaurus:troublemaker

   • 1591, William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act V, scene i], page 145 ↗, column 1:

     What wilt thou on thy death-bed play the Ruffian?

   • 1894, George du Maurier, “Part Fifth: Little Billee: An Interlude”, in Trilby: A Novel, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, OCLC 174215199 ↗, page 259 ↗:

     It was at Count Siloszech's. He'd heard her sing in the streets, with a tall, black-bearded ruffian, who accompanied her on a guitar, and a little fiddling gypsy fellow. She was a handsome woman, with hair down to her knees, but stupid as an owl.

2. (obsolete) A pimp; a pander.

   Synonyms: Thesaurus:pimp

3. (obsolete) A lover; a paramour.

   • He [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is instantly at home, revelling with her ruffians.

• French: rufian, voyou, brute
• Italian: facinoroso
• Portuguese: rufião
• Russian: негодя́й
• Spanish: rufian

ruffian (ruffians, present participle ruffianing; past and past participle ruffianed)

1. To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult.
   • 1603, Shakespeare, Othello, Act II, Scene I

     Methinks the wind does speak aloud at land; A fuller blast ne'er shook our battlements. If it hath ruffianed so upon the sea.

ruffian

1. Brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous.

   ruffian rage