ぎこちない

Etymology
Some dictionaries state that this is from earlier, with an early citation from 1534, but no further derivation given. The ending appears to be the regular suffix indicating a quality or state (likely related to verb ending  nu). However, there is no clear etymon for the gikotsu portion.

Meanwhile, there is the now-obsolete classical Japanese adjective of very similar meaning, with citations in the Heian-period book . A later form is dated to the mid-1300s, a couple centuries later. The kanji are likely ateji: the literal meaning of as spelled does not fit the semantics of how this term is used. The -nashi portion is very likely the same -nai adjectival suffix indicating a quality or state, while the kotsu or kochi portions can be found in reduplicative native-Japanese adverbs and. However, there is no clear etymon for the gi- portion. It might be an alteration of.

Adjective

 * 1) awkward, clumsy

Usage notes
refers to action that is unrefined and not yet smooth due to lack of practice. refers to action that is halting or stumbling due to the actor making mistakes.