(˚añji˚) is probably the correct reading for puñcikatā
■ We find puñcikatā at Dhs.1136, Dhs.1230 Vb.351, Vb.361 (variant reading pucchañji˚); Dhs-a.365; mucchañci˚ at Mnd.8 & Cnd p. 152; pucchañji˚; at Vb-a.477. The meaning is “agitation,” as seen from explⁿ of term at Dhs-a.365 (“wagging of a dog’s tail,” pucchaṃ cāleti) and Vb-a.477 (“lābhan’ âlābhanaka-ṭhāne vedhanā kampanā nīcavuttatā”)
■ The etym. explⁿ is difficult we may take it as a (misunderstood) corruption of *mucch-aṅgi-kata i.e. mucchā + anga + kṛ; “being made stiff-of-limbs,” or “swoon.” Psychologically we may take “swoon” as the climax of agitation, almost like “hysterics.” A similar case of a similar term of swooning being interpreted by Bdhgh as “wavering (cal) is chambhitatta “paralysis,” explained as “sakalasarīra calanaṃ” at DN-a.i.50
■ The expression mucchañcikatā reminds us of the term kaṭukañcukatā.