Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

netburp
     
         (Or "netsplit") When {netlag} gets really
        bad, and delays between {IRC} servers exceed a certain
        threshhold, the network effectively becomes partitioned for a
        period of time, and large numbers of people seem to be signing
        off at the same time and then signing back on again when
        things get better.  An instance of this is called a "netburp"
        (or, sometimes, {netsplit}).
     
        [{Jargon File}]
     
        (1996-06-04)