transitive verb wagged, wagging wag′·ging

1. 1. to cause (something fastened or held at one end) to move rapidly and repeatedly back and forth, from side to side, or up and down the dog wagged his tail
   2. to shake (a finger) or nod (the head), as in summoning, reproving, etc.
2. to move (the tongue) in talking, esp. in idle or malicious gossip

Etymology: ME waggen, prob. < ON vaga, to move back and forth, rock, akin to OE wagian, to shake, totter < IE base *weĝh-, to move > L vehere, to carry

intransitive verb

1. to move rapidly and repeatedly back and forth, from side to side, or up and down: said as of a part of the body
2. to keep moving in talk, esp. in idle or malicious gossip: said of the tongue
3. to walk or move with a swaying motion; waddle

noun

noun

Etymology: prob. short for obs. waghalter, a gallows bird, applied to a joker, rogue (< ? wag + halter)