I. ˈtō verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English togian; akin to Old English tēon to draw, pull, Old High German ziohan to draw, pull, Latin ducere to draw, lead
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
: to draw or pull along behind : haul
tow a wagon
intransitive verb
: to move in tow
trailers that tow behind the family auto — Bob Munger
II. noun
Date: 1600
1. : a rope or chain for towing
2.
a. : the act or an instance of towing
b. : the fact or state of being towed
3.
a. : something towed (as a boat or car)
b. : a group of barges lashed together and usually pushed
4.
a. : something (as a tugboat) that tows
b. : ski tow
•
- in tow
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tow- spinning; akin to Old Norse tō tuft of wool for spinning, Old English tawian to prepare for use — more at taw
Date: 14th century
1. : short or broken fiber (as of flax, hemp, or synthetic material) that is used especially for yarn, twine, or stuffing
2.
a. : yarn or cloth made of tow
b. : a loose essentially untwisted strand of synthetic fibers
IV. noun
Etymology: Middle English (Scots), probably from Old English toh- (in tohlīne towline); akin to Old English togian to tow
Date: 14th century
chiefly Scottish & dialect England : rope