STEER

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English stēor young ox; akin to Old High German stior young ox Date: before 12th century a male bovine animal and especially a domestic ox ( Bos taurus ) castrated before sexual maturity, an ox less than four years old, II. verb Etymology: Middle English steren, from Old English stīeran; akin to Old English stēor- ~ing oar, Greek stauros stake, cross, stylos pillar, Sanskrit sthavira, sthūra stout, thick Date: 12th century transitive verb to control the course of ; direct , to set and hold to (a course), intransitive verb to direct the course (as of a ship or automobile), to pursue a course of action, to be subject to guidance or direction , see: guide ~able adjective ~er noun III. noun Date: 1894 a hint as to procedure ; tip , see: stir