Convulse
Convulse , transitive verb
[Latin convulsus, past participle of convellere to tear up, to shake; con- + vellere to pluck, pull.]
1.
To contract violently and irregularly, as the muscular parts of an animal body; to shake with irregular spasms, as in excessive laughter, or in agony from grief or pain.
With emotions which checked his voice and convulsed his powerful frame.
2.
To agitate greatly; to shake violently.
The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations.