Ran·kle v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rankled p. pr. & vb. n. Rankling ]
1. To become, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively.
A malady that burns and rankles inward. --Rowe.
This would have left a rankling wound in the hearts of the people. --Burke.
2. To produce a festering or inflamed effect; to cause a sore; -- used literally and figuratively; as, a splinter rankles in the flesh; the words rankled in his bosom.