startle
Main Entry: star·tle
Pronunciation: \ˈstär-təl\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): star·tled; star·tling \ˈstärt-liŋ, ˈstär-təl-iŋ\
Etymology: Middle English stertlen, frequentative of sterten to start
Date: 1530
Definition: to frighten or surprise suddenly and usually not seriously