Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ruffian \Ruf"fian\ (? or ?; 277), n. [F. rufien, OF. ruffen,
   ruffian, pimp. libertine, ake; cf. pr. & Sp. rufian, It.
   ruffiano; all perhaps of German or Dutch origin; cf. G.
   raufen to pluck, scuffle, fight, OD. roffen to pander. Cf.
   Ruffle to grow urbulent.]
   1. A pimp; a pander; also, a paramour. [Obs.]

            he [her husband] is no sooner abroad than she is
            instantly at home, reveling with her ruffians. --Bp.
                                                  Reynolds.

   2. A boisterous, cruel, brutal fellow; a desperate fellow
      ready for murderous or cruel deeds; a cutthroat.

            Wilt thou on thy deathbed play the ruffian? --Shak.

Ruffian \Ruf"fian\, a.
   brutal; cruel; savagely boisterous; murderous; as, ruffian
   rage.

Ruffian \Ruf"fian\, v. i.
   To play the ruffian; to rage; to raise tumult. [R.] --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

ruffian
     n : a cruel and brutal fellow [syn: {bully}, {tough}, {hooligan},
          {roughneck}, {rowdy}, {yob}, {yobo}, {yobbo}]