ETYM Akin to Dan. rifle, or riffel, the rifle of a gun, a chamfer (cf. riffel, riffelbösse, a rifle gun, rifle to rifle a gun, German riefeln, riefen, to chamfer, groove), and Eng. rive. Related to Rive, Riffle, Rivel.
A shoulder weapon with a long barrel and a rifled bore.
Firearm that has spiral grooves (rifling) in its barrel. When a bullet is fired, the rifling makes it spin, thereby improving accuracy. Rifles were first introduced in the late 18th century.

1. To go through in search of something; search through someone's belongings in an unauthorized way; SYN. go.
2. To ransack especially with the intent to steal
3. To steal and carry away
4. To engage in ransacking and stealing
5. To cut spiral grooves into the bore of
6. To propel (as a ball) with great force or speed