Joggle
/ˈdʒɒɡ.əl/noun
To shake, jerk, or move unevenly; also, a small projection or notch used to make parts fit together.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a medieval French form tied to repeated jolting movement, and English later used it for a carpentry notch that locks pieces together—proof that words can carry the memory of impact and pressure.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
joggelen
“To shake, jolt, or move with a jerking motion.”
Middle French
French
jogler / jougler
“To juggle, play tricks, or move in a lively, deceptive way.”
Late Latin
Latin
joculare
“To jest, play, or perform tricks.”
Classical Latin
Latin
jocus
“A joke, jest, or playful act.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yek-
“To speak or say; source of joking and playful speech.”