swerve

/ˈswərv/

Middle English, from Old English sweorfan to wipe, file away; akin to Old High German swerban to wipe off, Welsh chwerfu to whirl

verb

  1. to turn aside abruptly from a straight line or course : deviate

  2. to cause to turn aside or deviate

swerve veer deviate depart digress diverge 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.