from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Twitch \Twitch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Twitched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Twitching}.] [OE. twicchen, fr. (doubtful) AS. twiccian;
akin to AS. angeltwicca a worm used for bait, literally, a
hook twitcher, LG. twikken to tweak, G. zwicken. Cf.
{Tweak}.]
To pull with a sudden jerk; to pluck with a short, quick
motion; to snatch; as, to twitch one by the sleeve; to twitch
a thing out of another's hand; to twitch off clusters of
grapes.
[1913 Webster]
Thrice they twitched the diamond in her ear. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]