'To ruffle the feathers of' definitions:

Definition of 'To ruffle the feathers of'

From: GCIDE

Ruffle \Ruf"fle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ruffled; p. pr. & vb. n. Ruffling.] [From Ruff a plaited collar, a drum beat, a tumult: cf. OD. ruyffelen to wrinkle.]
1. To make into a ruff; to draw or contract into puckers, plaits, or folds; to wrinkle. [1913 Webster]
2. To furnish with ruffles; as, to ruffle a shirt. [1913 Webster]
3. To oughen or disturb the surface of; to make uneven by agitation or commotion. [1913 Webster]
The fantastic revelries . . . that so often ruffled the placid bosom of the Nile. --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
She smoothed the ruffled seas. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
4. To erect in a ruff, as feathers. [1913 Webster]
[the swan] ruffles her pure cold plume. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
5. (Mil.) To beat with the ruff or ruffle, as a drum. [1913 Webster]
6. To discompose; to agitate; to disturb. [1913 Webster]
These ruffle the tranquillity of the mind. --Sir W. Hamilton. [1913 Webster]
But, ever after, the small violence done Rankled in him and ruffled all his heart. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
7. To throw into disorder or confusion. [1913 Webster]
Where best He might the ruffled foe infest. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]
8. To throw together in a disorderly manner. [R.] [1913 Webster]
I ruffled up falen leaves in heap. --Chapman [1913 Webster]
To ruffle the feathers of, to exite the resentment of; to irritate. [1913 Webster]