sway

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
sway/sweɪ/

▶verb

• 1 move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side.

• 2 cause to change in opinion, action, etc.; influence.

• 3 literary rule; govern.

▶noun

• 1 a rhythmical movement from side to side.

• 2 influence or rule.

– phrases
hold sway have great power or influence.

– origin ME: rel. to Low Ger. swājen ‘be blown to and fro’ and Du. zwaaien ‘swing, walk totteringly’.