Tug

v. t. [imp. & p. p. TUGGED; p. pr. & vb. n. TUGGING.] [A-S. teóhan, teón (p. teáh, tugon, p. p. togen), teóhhian, teógan, to pull, draw, tug, O. Sax. tiohan, tiôn, O. Fries. tia, toga, Icel. toga, Goth. tiuhan, O. H. Ger. ziuhan, N. H. Ger. ziehen; A-S. tyge, a drawing, Icel. & L. Ger. tog, N. H. Ger. zug.] 1. To pull or draw with great effort; to drag along with continued exertion; to haul along. There sweat, there strain, tug the laborious oar. Roscommon. 2. To pull; to pluck. [Obs.] To ease the pain, His tugged ears suffered with a strain. Hudibras.

v. i. 1. To pull with great effort; as, to tug at the oar; to tug against the stream. He tugged, he shook, till down they came. Milton. 2. To labor; to strive; to struggle. He is left to tug and scramble. Shak. They long wrestled and strenuously tugged for their liberty. Howe.

n. [See supra.] 1. A pull with the utmost effort.

At the tug he falls, Vast ruins come along, rent from the smoking walls. Dryden.

2Sense 2. A sort of carriage, used in some parts of England for conveying timber, and various heavy articles. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

3Sense 3. A steam-vessel used to tow ships; a steam-tug.

4Sense 4. A trace, or drawing-strap, of a harness.

5Sense 5. (Mining.) An iron hoop, to which a tackle is affixed.