Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.

2. (v. t.) To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.

3. (v. t.) To deter; to cause to deviate.

4. (n.) A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.