Emily Dickinson Lexicon

JERK, v.t.¹ [This is probably the Ch. Heb. ירק, to reach, to spit, that is, to throw out with a sudden effort, Sax. hraecan, herca. If not, I know not its origin or affinities. It seems to be a different orthography of yerk.]

1. To thrust out; to thrust with a sudden effort; to give sudden pull, twitch, thrust or push; as, to jerk one under the ribs; to jerk one with the elbow.
2. To throw with a quick, smart motion; as, to jerk a stone. We apply this word to express the mode of throwing to little distance by drawing the arm back of the body, and thrusting it forward against the side or hip, which stops the arm suddenly.