Green’s Dictionary of Slang

an unpleasant woman.

1910		Bulletin (Sydney) 29 Sept. 36/2: One evening he broke a meeting right up by depicting the woes of a worried shop-assistant handling a ‘ruck’ (tough female customer) at 9.50 on a Saturday night. The Bishop drew such a vivid picture of the ‘ruck’ and her ways that all Rockhampton believed it recognised the lady at the first look.
1992		R. Puxley Cockney Rabbit.