A reverse-flow nozzle generates a cavitating and/or pulsed jet of pressurized liquid. The nozzle includes a body having an inlet for receiving a stream of liquid and a main channel through the body extending from the inlet to an outlet. A flow-reversing channel in the nozzle diverts a portion of the liquid from the main channel to a point downstream of a mixing chamber. The channel returns the diverted liquid back into the mixing chamber as a reverse-flow jet relative to a main stream of liquid flowing toward the outlet. This reverse-flow jet interacts with the main stream to generate the cavitating jet that discharges from the outlet. By angling the reverse-flow jet relative to the main stream, a naturally pulsed jet may be generated.