'jostle' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'joster' (to push, to thrust), which is related to 'joust' and ultimately connected with Latin 'juxta' meaning 'near'.

'jostle' changed from Old French 'joster' into Middle English as 'jostlen' and eventually developed into the modern English word 'jostle'.

Initially, it meant 'to come close to or to engage (as in a joust or close contact)'; over time it evolved into the current sense of 'to push or shove roughly' and 'to compete forcefully for position'.