Where did the term riffraff come from?

The term "riffraff" originates from the Middle French Word "rif et raf," which means "the dregs" or "the refuse." It was adopted into English in the early 16th century to describe a group of people considered to be of low social status or disreputable character. Over time, it has come to refer broadly to individuals perceived as undesirable or of questionable behavior.