Dunch is a dialectal word of uncertain, probably imitative or Scandinavian origin, meaning to strike or push, especially with the elbow. In present use as verb and noun, it means "to nudge or push, especially with the elbow (dialectal)", keeping the historical formation close to the word's ordinary semantic work. Because the origin is uncertain, the safest account is descriptive: the attested senses can be explained, but the ultimate formation remains unresolved. The modern form is therefore best understood through the stated historical form and present sense, without adding an unsupported chain of cognates or intermediate stages.