Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Haw?

\Haw\, n. [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}.] 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\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Anat.) The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. See {Nictitating membrane}, under {Nictitate}.
\Haw\, n. [Cf. ha an interjection of wonder, surprise, or hesitation.] An intermission or hesitation of speech, with a sound somewhat like haw! also, the sound so made. ``Hums or haws.'' --Congreve.
\Haw\, v. i. 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\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Hawed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Hawing}.] [Written also hoi.] [Perhaps connected with here, hither; cf., however, F. huhau, hue, interj. used in turning a horse to the right, G. hott, h["u], interj. used in calling to a horse.] 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}. {To haw and gee}, or {To haw and gee about}, to go from one thing to another without good reason; to have no settled purpose; to be irresolute or unstable. [Colloq.]
\Haw\, v. t. To cause to turn, as a team, to the near side, or toward the driver; as, to haw a team of oxen. {To haw and gee}, or {To haw and gee about}, to lead this way and that at will; to lead by the nose; to master or control. [Colloq.]