Lurching
/ˈlɜːrtʃɪŋ/noun
Moving or swaying suddenly and awkwardly, often in an uncontrolled way.
Did you know?The exact origin of English lurch is uncertain, but it likely developed from an older sense of a sudden turn or sharp movement, which is why the word still feels physically unstable today.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
lurchen
“to move or sway in a sudden, awkward way”
Middle English
English
lurch
“a sudden stagger or unsteady movement”
Early Modern English
English
lurching
“moving in a swaying, jerking manner”
Modern English
English
lurching
“moving or swaying suddenly and awkwardly”