[cane] n [ME, fr MF, fr. OProv cana, fr. L canna, fr. Gk kanna, of Sem origin; akin to Ar qanah hollow stick, reed] (14c) 1 a (1): a hollow or pithy and usu. slender and flexible jointed stem (as of a reed) (2): any of various slender woody stems; esp: an elongated flowering or fruiting stem (as of a rose) usu. arising directly from the ground b: any of various tall woody grasses or reeds: as (1): any of a genus (Arundinaria) of coarse grasses (2): sugarcane (3): sorghum
2: cane dressed for use: as a: a cane walking stick; broadly: walking stick b: a cane or rod for flogging c: rattan; esp: split rattan for wickerwork or basketwork
3: a tiny glass rod used in decorative glasswork (as in millefiori and paperweights)
[2]cane vt caned ; can.ing (ca. 1667) 1: to beat with a cane "he sat in a professor's chair and caned sophomores for blowing spitballs --H. L. Mencken"
2: to weave or furnish with cane "~ the seat of a chair"