v.tr. 1 pack (goods etc.) tidily and compactly. 2 Naut. place (a cargo or provisions) in its proper place and order. 3 fill (a receptacle) with articles compactly arranged. 4 (usu. in imper.) sl. abstain or cease from (stow the noise!). stow away 1 place (a thing) where it will not cause an obstruction. 2 be a stowaway on a ship etc.
[ ME, f. BESTOW: in Naut. use perh. infl. by Du. stouwen ]