zigouiller

Senses

1. 1.

   to zigzag; to wriggle

   to move in a zigzag pattern or with twisting motions

2. 2.

   to kill; to do in

   to harm or eliminate someone (slang/informal)

Examples

• "Le poisson zigouille dans l'eau."

  The fish wriggles in the water.

• "Le serpent zigouille entre les roches."

  The snake zigzags among the rocks.

• "Il a menacé de le zigouiller s'il ne payait pas."

  He threatened to do him in if he didn't pay.

Usage

Informal/slang verb, primarily used in narratives about animals or in colloquial contexts. The "to kill" sense is particularly slangy and should be used carefully. Common in regional French and older literature.