writhe

 
Pronunciation: /rʌɪð/

verb

[no object]
  • make twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body: he writhed in agony on the ground (as adjective writhing) a writhing heap of maggots [with object]: a snake writhing its body
  • (writhe in/with/at) respond with great emotional or physical discomfort to (an intense or unpleasant feeling or thought): she bit her lip, writhing in suppressed fury

Origin:

Old English wrīthan 'make into coils, plait, fasten with a cord', of Germanic origin; related to wreathe