recoil
re-coil
noun
A sudden backward movement, especially of a firearm when discharged.
"The shotgun had a powerful recoil."
verb
To suddenly move back or flinch in fear, disgust, or shock.
"She recoiled from the gruesome sight."
Thesaurus
Synonyms: funk, cringe, shrink, flinch, squinch, quail, wince, reverberate, spring, rebound, bound, ricochet