Past tense of bustle; moved with energetic activity and purpose, or (of fabric) was gathered or arranged with a bustle.
From 'bustle,' which comes from Middle Dutch or Old Norse sources meaning 'to bustle about'; the past tense is formed regularly with '-ed.' Alternatively, as a fashion term, from the noun 'bustle' (a framework worn under skirts).
The Victorian 'bustle'—a framework that puffed out skirts at the back—is fashion's most impractical solution to a non-problem, yet it became status symbol showing women didn't need to work or move freely.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.