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.

 

© Webster 1913.


Haw, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] Anat.

The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. See Nictitating membrane, under Nictitate.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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, hu, 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, ∨ 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.]

 

© Webster 1913.


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, ∨ To haw and gee about, to lead this way and that at will; to lead by the nose; to master or control. [Colloq.]

 

© Webster 1913.