Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Jerk \Jerk\, v. t. [Corrupted from Peruv. charqui dried beef.]
   To cut into long slices or strips and dry in the sun; as,
   jerk beef. See {Charqui}.

Jerk \Jerk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Jerked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Jerking}.] [Akin to yerk, and perh. also to yard a measure.]
   1. To beat; to strike. [Obs.] --Florio.

   2. To give a quick and suddenly arrested thrust, push, pull,
      or twist, to; to yerk; as, to jerk one with the elbow; to
      jerk a coat off.

   3. To throw with a quick and suddenly arrested motion of the
      hand; as, to jerk a stone.

Jerk \Jerk\, v. i.
   1. To make a sudden motion; to move with a start, or by
      starts. --Milton.

   2. To flout with contempt.

Jerk \Jerk\, n.
   1. A short, sudden pull, thrust, push, twitch, jolt, shake,
      or similar motion.

            His jade gave him a jerk.             --B. Jonson.

   2. A sudden start or spring.

            Lobsters . . . swim backwards by jerks or springs.
                                                  --Grew.

Source : WordNet®

jerk
     v 1: pull, or move with a sudden movement; "He turned the handle
          and jerked the door open" [syn: {yank}]
     2: move with abrupt, seemingly uncontrolled motions; "The
        patient's legs were jerkings" [syn: {twitch}]
     3: make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion; "his face is
        twitching" [syn: {twitch}]
     4: jump vertically, with legs stiff and back arched; "the yung
        filly bucked" [syn: {buck}, {hitch}]
     5: throw or toss with a quick motion; "flick a piece of paper
        across the table"; "jerk his head" [syn: {flick}]

jerk
     n 1: a dull stupid fatuous person [syn: {dork}]
     2: an abrupt spasmodic movement [syn: {jerking}, {jolt}]
     3: (mechanics) the rate of change of velocity [syn: {rate of
        acceleration}]
     4: a sudden abrupt pull [syn: {tug}]