[hoe] n [ME howe, fr. MF houe, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG houwa mattock, houwan to hew--more at hew] (14c) 1: any of various implements for tilling, mixing, or raking; esp: an implement with a thin flat blade on a long handle used esp. for cultivating, weeding, or loosening the earth around plants
2: backhoe
[2]hoe vb hoed ; hoe.ing vi (15c): to use a hoe: work with a hoe ~ vt 1: to weed, cultivate, or thin (a crop) with a hoe
2: to remove (weeds) by hoeing
3: to dress or cultivate (land) by hoeing -- ho.er n