zamarrear

Senses

1. 1.

   to shake roughly; to jostle

   to move or handle someone/something with sudden, forceful jerking motions

2. 2.

   to maul; to paw at

   to grab, claw, or handle physically in a rough or aggressive manner

3. 3.

   to badger; to heckle

   to persistently bother, annoy, or criticize someone

Examples

• "El perro zamarreaba al niño juguetonamente."

  The dog was roughly playing with (mauling) the child.

• "No me zamarrees, que me haces daño."

  Don't jostle me around like that; you're hurting me.

• "Los críticos zamarrearon al nuevo ministro en la prensa."

  The critics badgered the new minister in the press.

Usage

This is a verb of Hispanic origin (perhaps from Basque origin, though etymology is disputed). It's relatively colloquial and more common in Spain than in many Latin American regions. It often carries connotations of aggressive or rough physical action, or persistent criticism. Conjugates regularly as an -ar verb.