jaywalking

verb (used without object)

1. to cross a street at a place other than a regular crossing or in a heedless manner, as diagonally or against a traffic light.

verb

1. (intr) to cross or walk in a street recklessly or illegally

n.

by 1912, American English (said in original citation to be a Kansas City term), from jay, perhaps with notion of boldness and impudence. Related: Jaywalk; jaywalker.