1. [n]  female ruff
2. [v]  fasten by passing through a hole or around something
3. [v]  pass through a hole or opening, as of a rope
4. [v]  pass a rope through, as of an opening

REEVE is a 5 letter word that starts with R.

1. \Reeve\ (r?v), n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The female of the ruff.
   
   

2. \Reeve\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rove} (r?v); p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Reeving}.] [Cf. D. reven. See {Reef}, n. & v. t.] (Naut.)
   To pass, as the end of a pope, through any hole in a block,
   thimble, cleat, ringbolt, cringle, or the like.
   
   

3. \Reeve\, n. [OE. reve, AS. ger?fa. Cf. {Sheriff}.]
   an officer, steward, bailiff, or governor; -- used chiefly in
   compounds; as, shirereeve, now written sheriff; portreeve,
   etc. --Chaucer. --Piers Plowman.