[haw] n [ME hawe, fr. OE haga--more at hedge] (bef. 12c) 1: a hawthorn berry
2: hawthorn
[2]haw n [origin unknown] (15c): nictitating membrane; esp: an inflamed nictitating membrane of a domesticated mammal [3]haw vi [imit.] (1632) 1: to utter the sound represented by haw "hemmed and ~ed before answering"
2: equivocate "the administration hemmed and ~ed over the students' demands" [4]haw interj (1679)--often used to indicate a vocalized pause in speaking [5]haw vb [origin unknown] vb imper (1777)--used as a direction to turn to the left--compare gee ~ vi: to turn to the near or left side