ratchet

Etymology 1

From French rochet (“bobbin, spindle, ratchet”), from Italian rocchetto (“spool, ratchet”).

noun

1. A pawl, click, or detent for holding or propelling a ratchet wheel, or ratch, etc.
2. A mechanism composed of a ratchet wheel, or ratch and pawl.
3. A ratchet wrench.
4. (by extension) A procedure or regulation that goes in one direction, usually up.
   The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security. Each one diminishes liberty. 2012-12-14, Simon Jenkins, “We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 2, page 23
5. A noisemaker or musical instrument where sound is generated by a board striking against a rotating gear. See gragger, raganella.

verb

1. (transitive) To cause to become incremented or decremented.
   It's time to ratchet up the intensity level here.
2. (intransitive) To increment or decrement.

Etymology 2

Possibly a variant (representing a Southern or specifically Louisianan pronunciation) of wretched.

adj

1. (US, slang) Ghetto; unseemly, indecorous.
   The one thing that always accompanies Miley's ratchet look (along with the gang signs) is the tongue, which is sort of like saying this persona that she has adopted is some sort of gonzo idiot who can't keep its tongue in her head. September 24, 2013, Elspeth Reeve, Brian Moylan, “Miley Cyrus's Tongue: A Debate”, in The Atlantic
   The feminine-meets-fiesty creations are right on par with all the reasons we love the rightgeously ratchet “Work” singer — and she knows it. April 19, 2016, Julee Wilson, “Rihanna's Latest Sock Collection is Exactly What You'd Expect...and More”, in Essence
   Classy in the streets but we ratchet March 28, 2018, Todrick Hall (lyrics and music), “T.H.U.G. (Trade)”, in Forbidden, track 14