harrow Meaning, Definition & Usage

OE. harowe, harwe, AS. hearge; cf. D. hark rake, G. harke, Icel. herfi harrow, Dan. harve, Sw. harf. .

An implement of agriculture, usually formed of pieces of timber or metal crossing each other, and set with iron or wooden teeth. It is drawn over plowed land to level it and break the clods, to stir the soil and make it fine, or to cover seed when sown.
(Mil.) An obstacle formed by turning an ordinary harrow upside down, the frame being buried.

OE. harowen, harwen; cf. Dan. harve. See Harrow, n.

imperfect & past participle Harrowed ; present participle & verbal noun Harrowing

To draw a harrow over, as for the purpose of breaking clods and leveling the surface, or for covering seed; as, to harrow land.
Will he harrow the valleys after thee? Job xxxix. 10.
To break or tear, as with a harrow; to wound; to lacerate; to torment or distress; to vex.
My aged muscles harrowed up with whips. Rowe.

I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul. Shak.

OF. harau, haro; fr. OHG. hara, hera, herot, or fr. OS. herod hither, akin to E. here.

Help! Halloo! An exclamation of distress; a call for succor;-the ancient Norman hue and cry. "Harrow and well away!" Spenser.
Harrow! alas! here lies my fellow slain. Chaucer.

See Harry.

To pillage; to harry; to oppress. Obs. Spenser.
Meaning thereby to harrow his people. Bacon