Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
JOKE
I. noun
Etymology: Latin jocus; perhaps akin to Old High German gehan to say, Sanskrit yācati he asks
Date: 1670
1. something said or done to provoke laughter, b. the humorous or ridiculous element in something, an instance of jesting ; kidding , practical joke , laughingstock , something not to be taken seriously ; a trifling matter ,
II. verb (joked; joking)
Date: 1670
intransitive verb to make jokes ; jest , transitive verb to make the object of a joke ; kid , jokingly adverb