English

Adjective

bristling ‎(comparative more bristling, superlative most bristling)

1. Having bristles.
2. Showing anger.
   • 2011 January 15, Phil McNulty, “Tottenham 0 - 0 Man Utd”, in BBC:

     Tottenham had hoped to make a statement of real intent against the title pace-setters and while manager Harry Redknapp did not secure the victory he craved, he at least saw his side match United every stride of the way in a game that fizzled out after a bristling start.

Verb

bristling

1. present participle of bristle

Noun

bristling ‎(plural bristlings)

1. The act of one who bristles.
   • 1906, Jack London, White Fang

     When dogs fight, there are usually preliminaries to the actual combat — snarlings and bristlings and stiff-legged struttings. But White Fang learned to omit these preliminaries.