poke
UK[pəʊk]US[poʊk]
v
To push a finger or other pointed object quickly into someone or something.
v
To appear or cause to appear through a narrow opening.
n
An act of poking someone or something.
n
A quick look or search.
Etymology
The verb 'poke' emerged in Middle English, likely from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German 'poken', meaning 'to prod or thrust'. Its ultimate origin is uncertain but may be imitative or expressive in nature, possibly related to the concept of a short, sharp action. The sense of 'looking around' ('poke about') developed in the 19th century from the idea of thrusting one's head or attention into something. The word's journey reflects a simple, direct action that has expanded metaphorically to include acts of investigation or casual searching.
Analysis
The word 'poke' is a simplex word of Germanic origin. It functions as a single, indivisible root morpheme.
Examples
Don't poke the dog with that stick, you might annoy it.
I saw a green shoot poking through the soil.
I'll just have a quick poke around in the attic to see if the box is there.