lurch1

 
Pronunciation: /ləːtʃ/

verb

[no object, with adverbial]
  • make an abrupt, unsteady, uncontrolled movement or series of movements; stagger: the car lurched forward Stuart lurched to his feet figurative he was lurching from one crisis to the next

noun

[usually in singular]
  • an abrupt uncontrolled movement, especially an unsteady tilt or roll: the boat gave a violent lurch and he missed his footing

Origin:

late 17th century (as a noun denoting the sudden leaning of a ship to one side): of unknown origin