(informal) the control stick of an aircraft or of any of various machines
2.
(computing) a lever by means of which the display on a screen may be controlled used esp for games, flight simulators, etc
Word Origin and History for joy-stick
joystick
n.
also joy stick, 1910, aviators' slang for the control lever of an airplane, from joy + stick (n.).
Slang definitions & phrases for joy-stick
joy-stick
noun
The control lever of an airplane (1910+)
The steering wheel of a car, esp a hot rod (1950s+ Hot rodders)
The control lever for a computer or video game (1967+)
An opium pipe (1940s+ Narcotics)
(also joy-knob) The penis (1920+)
[the origin of the control-lever senses is uncertain; perhaps fr the tremulous shaking of the stick, perhaps fr the joyful sensation experienced while flying]