Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SHRUG, v.t. [This word is probably formed from the root of G. rücken, the back, D. rug, Sax. hric or hryg, the back, a ridge, W. crug, a heap, crwg, a crook, L. ruga, a wrinkle, Eng. rough.]

To draw up; to contract; to shrug the shoulders. The word seems to be limited in its use to the shoulders, and to denote a particular motion which raises the shoulders and rounds the back.