v. & n.
v. 1 tr. disturb or shake from the normal position (esp. in a moving vehicle) with a jerk. 2 tr. give a mental shock to; perturb. 3 intr. (of a vehicle) move along with jerks, as on a rough road.
n. 1 such a jerk. 2 a surprise or shock. jolty adj. (joltier, joltiest).
[ 16th c.: orig. unkn. ]