firk

verb

variants or less commonly ferk

ˈfərk,

ˈfi(ə)rk

firked also ferked; firking also ferking; firks also ferks

intransitive verb

1

dialectal, British : to move quickly : hasten

also : to be lively or frisky

2

dialectal, British

a

: jerk, twitch

b

: fidget, fuss

transitive verb

1

archaic : beat, strike, chastise, conquer

I'll firk you, I'll rattle you

—Thomas Gray

2

obsolete : to get dishonestly : contrive, cheat

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ferken, from Old English fercian to convey, bring, proceed; akin to Old English faran to go, travel

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