The word "swerve" means to suddenly change direction or to move aside from a straight course. This action is often taken to avoid hitting something or to navigate around an obstacle. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as a vehicle swerving to avoid another car or a person changing their opinion on a topic.
The word "swerve" comes from the Old English "swerfan," which means "to turn aside" or "to abide." Its roots can be traced back to Proto-Germanic and may have connections to words in other Germanic languages that express similar meanings of turning or deviating from a path.