Tow (?), n. [OE. tow, AS. tow, akin to OD. touw, Icel. a tuft of wool for spinning; cf. E. taw, v.t.]

The coarse and broken part of flax or hemp, separated from the finer part by the hatchel or swingle.

 

© Webster 1913.


Tow, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Towed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Towing.] [OE. towen, toen; akin to OFries. toga to pull about, OHG. zogon, Icel. toga, AS. tohline a towline, and AS.teon to draw, p.p. getogen. See Tug]

To draw or pull through the water, as a vessel of any kind, by means of a rope.

 

© Webster 1913.


Tow (?), n. [Cf. Icel.taug a rope, from the same root as E.tow, v. t.]

1.

A rope by which anything is towed; a towline, or towrope.

2.

The act of towing, or the state of being towed;-chiefly used in the phrase, to take in tow, that is to tow.

3.

That which is towed, or drawn by a towline, as a barge, raft, collection of boats, ect.

 

© Webster 1913.

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