dis·turb / disˈtərb/ • v. [tr.] interfere with the normal arrangement or functioning of: being sent to jail had apparently not disturbed his cheerfulness | the site surface had been disturbed by bulldozer activity. ∎  destroy the sleep or relaxation of: he crept in so as not to disturb his sleeping parents. ∎  (often be disturbed) cause to feel anxious: I am disturbed by the document I have just read | [as adj.] (disturbing) disturbing unemployment figures. ∎  (often be disturbed) interrupt or intrude on (someone) when they want privacy or secrecy: I'll see my patient now and we are not to be disturbed.DERIVATIVES: dis·turb·er n.dis·turb·ing·ly adv.

disturb †deprive of; agitate (lit. and fig.). XIII. — OF. desto(u)rber — L. disturbāre, f. DIS- 2 + turbāre disorder, disturb, f. turba tumult, crowd.
So disturbance XIII. — OF.