agitate

/ˈa-jə-ˌtāt/

Middle English agitat "set in motion," borrowed from Latin agitātus, past participle of agitāre "to set in motion, drive before one, arouse, disturb, deal with, turn over in the mind," frequentative of agere "to drive, be in motion, do, perform"

verb

  1. to excite and often trouble the mind or feelings of : disturb

  2. to discuss excitedly and earnestly

  3. to stir up public discussion of

My presence did not appear to agitate or irritate him as before, and he accepted my services quietly …

shake agitate rock convulse mean to move up and down or to and fro with some violence. shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose. agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.