“lurch” is a noun and verb with 9 meanings. Its most common meaning is: an unsteady uneven gait.
lurch
noun
an unsteady uneven gait
a decisive defeat in a game (especially in cribbage)
abrupt up-and-down motion (as caused by a ship or other conveyance)
“the pitching and tossing was quite exciting”
the act of moving forward suddenly
verb
walk as if unable to control one's movements
“The drunken man staggered into the room”
move abruptly
“The ship suddenly lurched to the left”
move slowly and unsteadily
“The truck lurched down the road”
loiter about, with no apparent aim
defeat by a lurch
Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University
