colloq. [? frequentative of JIG v.] intr. To make a succession of rapid jerks; said of a fish struggling to free itself from the hook. Hence Jiggering vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1867. F. Francis, Angling, ix. (1876), 328. When a fish ‘jiggers’ or keeps up a constant ‘jag, jag, jag,’ at the line, it is a very unpleasant and trying symptom. Ibid. I have lost many a ‘jiggering’ fish.
1891. A. Lang, Angling Sketches, 118. He [a salmon] came slowly up, and ‘jiggered’ savagely at the line.
1895. Daily News, 1 Aug., 6/4. When he jiggers, a fish puts all he knows into a series of short rapid tugs.
