rove 1
/rohv/ , v. , roved, roving , n.
v.i.
1. to wander about without definite destination; move hither and thither at random, esp. over a wide area.
v.t.
2. to wander over or through; traverse: to rove the woods.
n.
3. an act or instance of roving.
[ 1490-1500; orig., to shoot at a random target; perh. rafa to stray; but cf. also OF raver to roam ]
Syn. 1. stroll, amble, stray. See roam .
rove 2
/rohv/ , v.
a pt. and pp. of reeve 2 .
rove 3
/rohv/ , v. , roved, roving , n.
v.t.
1. to form (slivers of wool, cotton, etc.) into slightly twisted strands in a preparatory process of spinning.
2. to draw fibers or the like through an eye or other small opening.
3. to attenuate, compress, and twist slightly in carding.
n.
4. Brit. roving 2 .
[ 1780-90; of obscure orig. ]