spasm

US /ˈspæz.əm/
UK /ˈspæz.əm/
"spasm" picture
1.

a sudden, involuntary muscular contraction or convulsive movement

:
The sudden cold water caused a spasm in his leg.
She experienced a painful muscle spasm in her back.
2.

a sudden, brief spell of an activity or emotion

:
He had a sudden spasm of anger.
The market experienced a brief spasm of volatility.