Ruse \Ruse\, n. [F., fr. OF. re["u]ser, rehuser, to turn aside, to shuffle, retreat, fr. L. recusare to refuse; pref. re- again + causa cause. See Cause, and cf. Recusant.]

An artifice; trick; stratagem; wile; fraud; deceit.

Ruse de guerre[F.]

, a stratagem of war.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)