[stave] n [ME, back-formation fr. staves, pl. of staf staff] (13c) 1: [1]staff 1, 2
2: any of the narrow strips of wood or narrow iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (as a barrel) or structure
3: stanza
4: [1]staff 3
[2]stave vb staved or stove ; stav.ing vt (ca. 1595) 1: to break in the staves of (a cask)
2: to smash a hole in "stove in the boat"; also: to crush or break inward "staved in several ribs"
3: to drive or thrust away ~ vi 1 archaic: to become stove in--used of a boat or ship
2: to walk or move rapidly