jest

jest /dʒ'est/ (jests jesting jested)
1 [N-COUNT]
A jest is something that you say that is intended to be amusing. (FORMAL)
It was a jest rather than a reproach...
= joke
[PHRASE] PHR after v
If you say something in jest, you do not mean it seriously, but want to be amusing.
Don't say that, even in jest...
≠ seriously
2 [VERB] V
If you jest, you tell jokes or say amusing things. (FORMAL)
He enjoyed drinking and jesting with his cronies...
= joke