Middle English, from Old English sweorfan to wipe, file away; akin to Old High German swerban to wipe off, Welsh chwerfu to whirl
verb
to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course : deviate
to cause to turn aside or deviate
swerveveerdeviatedepartdigressdiverge mean to turn aside from a straight course. swerve may suggest a physical, mental, or moral turning away from a given course, often with abruptness. veer implies a major change in direction.