v.tr.
1. pack (goods etc.) tidily and compactly.
2 Naut. place (a cargo or provisions) in its proper place and order.
3 fill (a receptacle) with articles compactly arranged.
4 (usu. in imper.) sl. abstain or cease from (stow the noise!).
Phrases and idioms:
stow away
1. place (a thing) where it will not cause an obstruction.
2 be a stowaway on a ship etc.
Etymology: ME, f. BESTOW: in Naut. use perh. infl. by Du. stouwen