ruffian
noun
[ ˈrʌfɪən ]
• a violent person, especially one involved in crime.
Similar:
thug,
roughneck,
scoundrel,
villain,
rogue,
rascal,
lout,
hooligan,
hoodlum,
vandal,
delinquent,
rowdy,
bully boy,
bully,
brute,
larrikin,
tough,
bruiser,
heavy,
gorilla,
yahoo,
rough,
yob,
yobbo,
bovver boy,
lager lout,
chav,
hoodie,
keelie,
ned,
hood,
goon,
roughie,
hoon,
miscreant,
myrmidon,
Origin:
late 15th century: from Old French ruffian, from Italian ruffiano, perhaps from dialect rofia ‘scab, scurf’, of Germanic origin.
