transitive verb

1. to steal (goods in transit, a truck and its contents, etc.) by force
2. to steal such goods from (a person) by force
3. to cheat, swindle, etc. by or as by the use of force
4. to seize control forcibly of (an aircraft, bus, ship, etc.), esp. in order to go to a nonscheduled destination

Etymology: < hobo slang for robbing sleeping men < high + jack: origin obscure