yerk

Meanings

Verb

• to stab.
• To throw or thrust with a sudden, smart movement; to kick or strike suddenly; to jerk.
• To strike or lash with a whip or stick.
• To rouse or excite.
• To bind or tie with a jerk.

Noun

• A sudden or quick thrust or motion; a jerk.

Origin

• From Middle English ȝerken ("to move suddenly, excite, bind tightly, attack"), from Old English ġearcian ("to prepare, make ready"), compare ġearc, from Proto-Germanic *garwakōną ("to prepare"), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- ("to grab, take"). Cognate with jerk; see yare for more cognates.