Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (US) bustle, hustle; thus get a rustle on, to hurry up.

1890		in J.F. Dobie Rainbow in Morning (1965) 162: Just put on your bustle and make a little rustle, / And bring back a dollar or two.
1893		S. Crane Maggie, a Girl of the Streets (2001) 44: Hi, you, git a russle on yehs! What deh hell yeh’s lookin’ at?
1924		C.E. Mulford Hopalong Cassidy Returns 282: Git a rustle on you, Tom: we ain’t got all day!

2. (US black) an orphan, esp. one whose parents are unknown [such a child is the product of a quick, brief relationship].

1944

Collier’s 23 Sept. 13: A professional granny accepting anywhere from 25c to $1 a week for taking in drops, rustles, fetches or whatever you’ve a mind to call them [W&F].

3. (US prison) a riot or lesser disturbance.

2000

Other Side of the Wall: Prisoner’s Dict. July 🌐 Rustle: Riot or disturbance.