tweak

 
Pronunciation: /twiːk/

verb

[with object]
  • 1twist or pull (something) sharply: he tweaked the boy’s ear
  • 2 informal improve (a mechanism or system) by making fine adjustments to it: engineers tweak the car’s operating systems during the race

noun

  • 1a sharp twist or pull: an affectionate tweak
  • 2 informal a fine adjustment to a mechanism or system: no tweaks were required

Derivatives

tweaker

noun

Origin:

early 17th century: probably an alteration of dialect twick 'pull sharply'; related to twitch