3 entries under this word
n. [A-S. herewe, hyrwe, Dan. harv, Sw. harf. Cf. D. hark, O. H. Ger. harka, N. H. Ger. harke, rake, O. Fr. herce, L. Lat. hercia, harrow, Lat. hirpex, a large rake with iron teeth, harrow.] An instrument of agriculture, usually formed of pieces of timber or metal crossing each other, and set with iron or wooden teeth. It is drawn over plowed land to level it and break the clods, and to cover seed when sown.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. HARROWED; p. pr. & vb. n. HARROWING.] [Dan. harve, Sw. harfva; A-S. hyrwian, herewian, to vex, afflict, O. H. Ger. harawan, to exasperate. See supra.] 1. To draw a harrow over for the purpose of breaking clods and leveling the surface, or for covering seed sown; to break or tear with a harrow; as, to harrow land or ground. Will he harrow the valleys after thee? Job xxxix. 10. 2. To tear; to lacerate; to torment; to harass. I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul. Shak. It harrows me with fear and wonder. Shak. 3. To pillage; to harry. [Obs.] Spenser.
[O. Fr. harau, haro, from O. H. Ger. hara, hera, herot, O. Sax. herod, hither.] Help! halloo!—an exclamation of sudden distress. “Harrow now, out and well-away!” Spenser.