transitive verb

1. to give vent or free play to (one's anger, malice, rage, etc.)
2. to inflict (vengeance), cause (harm or havoc), etc.
3. Archaic to avenge

Etymology: ME wreken < OE wrecan, to revenge, punish, akin to Ger rächen, Goth wrikan < IE base *wreg-, to shove, oppress, hunt down, L urgere, to press, urge