I. ˈstāv noun
Etymology: Middle English, back-formation from staves, plural of staf staff
Date: 13th century
1. : staff I,1
2. : any of the narrow strips of wood or narrow iron plates placed edge to edge to form the sides, covering, or lining of a vessel (as a barrel) or structure
3. : stanza
4. : staff I,3
II. verb
( staved or stove ˈstōv ; stav·ing )
Date: circa 1595
transitive verb
1. : to break in the staves of (a cask)
2. : to smash a hole in
stove in the boat
also : to crush or break inward
staved in several ribs
3. : to drive or thrust away
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to become stove in — used of a boat or ship
2. : to walk or move rapidly