This is the 2177th most frequent German word.
blinken
"Blinken" means "to blink" or "to flash."
In this context, 'blinken' refers to the act of activating the indicator lights of a vehicle to show the turning intention.
Du musst blinken, bevor du abbiegen kannst.
You need to signal before you can turn.
Here, the word 'blinken' is used to describe the action of the traffic light emitting intermittent yellow light as a signal.
Die Ampel blinkt gelb.
The traffic light is blinking yellow.
Here, 'blinken' is used to metaphorically describe the star emitting fluctuating light in the night sky, resembling a communicative signal.