I. ˈpȯ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French powe, poe
Date: 14th century
1. : the foot of a quadruped (as a lion or dog) that has claws ; broadly : the foot of an animal
2. : a human hand especially when large or clumsy
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to touch or strike at with a paw
2. : to feel or touch clumsily, rudely, or sexually
3. : to scrape or beat with or as if with a hoof
4. : to flail at or grab for wildly
intransitive verb
1. : to beat or scrape something with or as if with a hoof
2. : to touch or strike with a paw
3. : to feel or touch someone or something clumsily, rudely, or sexually
4. : to flail or grab wildly
5. : to search especially carelessly or roughly
paw ed through the box of discount items