Hov"er (?), n. [Etymol. doubtful.]
A cover; a shelter; a protection.
[Archaic]
Carew. C. Kingsley.
© Webster 1913.
Hov"er, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hovered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hovering.] [OE. hoveren, and hoven, prob. orig., to abide, linger, and fr. AS. hof house; cf. OFries. hovia to receive into one's house. See Hovel.]
1.
To hang fluttering in the air, or on the wing; to remain in flight or floating about or over a place or object; to be suspended in the air above something.
Great flights of birds are hovering about the bridge, and settling on it.
Addison.
A hovering mist came swimming o'er his sight.
Dryden.
2.
To hang about; to move to and fro near a place, threateningly, watchfully, or irresolutely.
Agricola having sent his navy to hover on the coast.
Milton.
Hovering o'er the paper with her quill.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.