haw Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus
    hawthorn.
  2. noun the nictitating membrane of a horse
  3. verb utter `haw'
    • he hemmed and hawed

WordNet

Haw noun
Etymology
OE. hawe, AS. haga; akin to D. haag headge, G. hag, hecke, Icel. hagi pasture, Sw. hage, Dan. have garden. . Cf. Haggard, Ha-ha, Haugh, Hedge.
Definitions
  1. A hedge; an inclosed garden or yard.
    And eke there was a polecat in his haw. Chaucer.
  2. The fruit of the hawthorn. Bacon.
Haw noun
Etymology
Etymol. uncertain.
Definitions
  1. (Anat.) The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. See Nictitating membrane, under Nictitate.
Haw noun
Etymology
Cf. ha an interjection of wonder, surprise, or hesitation.
Definitions
  1. An intermission or hesitation of speech, with a sound somewhat like haw! also, the sound so made. "Hums or haws." Congreve.
Haw intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To stop, in speaking, with a sound like haw; to speak with interruption and hesitation.
    Cut it short; don't prose -- don't hum and haw. Chesterfield.
Haw intransitive verb
Etymology
Written also hoi.
Perhaps connected with here, hither; cf., however, F. huhau, hue, interj. used in turning a horse to the right, G. hott, hü, interj. used in calling to a horse.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Hawed ; present participle & verbal noun Hawing
Definitions
  1. To turn to the near side, or toward the driver; -- said of cattle or a team: a word used by teamsters in guiding their teams, and most frequently in the imperative. See Gee.
Haw transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause to turn, as a team, to the near side, or toward the driver; as, to haw a team of oxen.

Webster 1913