Star″tle (stär″t'l), v. t. 1. To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.
The supposition, at least, that angels do sometimes assume bodies need not startle us. Locke.
2. To deter; to cause to deviate. Clarendon.
Syn. — To start; shock; fright; frighten; alarm.