I. ˈplau̇ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English plōh hide of land; akin to Old High German pfluog plow
Date: 12th century
1. : an implement used to cut, lift, and turn over soil especially in preparing a seedbed
2. : any of various devices (as a snowplow) operating like a plow
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to turn, break up, or work with a plow
b. : to make (as a furrow) with a plow
2. : to cut into, open, or make furrows or ridges in with or as if with a plow
3. : to cleave the surface of or move through (water)
whales plow ing the ocean
4. : to clear away snow from with a snowplow
plow the street
5. : to spend or invest (money) in substantial amounts — used with into
plow s most of her income into mutual funds
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to use a plow
b. : to bear or admit of plowing
2.
a. : to move in a way resembling that of a plow
the car plow ed into a fence
b. : to proceed steadily and laboriously
had to plow through a stack of letters
• plow·able -ə-bəl adjective
• plow·er ˈplau̇(-ə)r noun