Tic (noun)

1. A sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization.
2. A habitual spasm in the face or other part of the body, often accompanied by a ticlike sound.

Origin:

From french tic, from old french tic, from tic ("a sudden, sharp noise") or middle dutch tic ("a sudden, sharp noise"). .

Examples:

1. He had a tic in his eye that made it blink rapidly.
2. She had a vocal tic that made her repeat certain words.
3. He had a tic that made him touch his nose repeatedly.
4. The tic was caused by stress and disappeared when he relaxed.
5. The medication helped to reduce the frequency of his tics.