Haw1, n.
[See HAUGH. A-S. haga, fruit of the haw.]
Sense 1. A hedge; an inclosed garden or yard.
There was a polecat in his haw. Chaucer.
Sense 2. The berry and seed of the hawthorn, that is, hedge-thorn. Bacon.
6 entries under this word
Haw
Haw2, n.
n. (Anat.) The third eyelid, or the nictating membrane, a semi-cartilaginous membrane in the internal corner of the eye of birds and hoofed quadrupeds. It is pressed out beneath the eyelids across the eye, which it seems to moisten and free from dust.
Haw3, n.
n. An hesitation or intermission of speech.
Hāw4, v. i.
v. i. [Cf. ha, an interjection of wonder, surprise, or hesitation.] To stop, in speaking, with a haw, or to speak with interruption and hesitation. Cut it short; don't prose—don't hum and haw. Chesterfield.
Haw5, v. i.
[imp. & p. p. HAWED; p. pr. & vb. n. HAWING.] [Written also hoi.] [Perhaps connected with here, hither. Cf., however, Fr. huhau, hur-hau, haw.] To turn to the near side, or toward the driver; said of cattle or a team;—most frequently in the imperative; often with here; as, haw, haw here;—words used by teamsters in guiding their teams. See GEE.
To haw and gee, or 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.]
Haw6, v. t.
v. t. [See supra.] 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 haw and gee about, to lead this way and that at will; to lead by the nose; to master or control. [Colloq.]