v. & n.
--v. (tugged, tugging)
1. tr. & (foll. by at) intr. pull hard or violently; jerk (tugged it from my grasp; tugged at my sleeve).
2 tr. tow (a ship etc.) by means of a tugboat.
--n.
1. a hard, violent, or jerky pull (gave a tug on the rope).
2 a sudden strong emotional feeling (felt a tug as I watched them go).
3 a small powerful boat for towing larger boats and ships.
4 an aircraft towing a glider.
5 (of a horse's harness) a loop from a saddle supporting a shaft or trace.
Phrases and idioms:
tug of love colloq. a dispute over the custody of a child. tug of war
1. a trial of strength between two sides pulling against each other on a rope.
2 a decisive or severe contest.
Derivatives:
tugger n.
Etymology: ME togge, tugge, intensive f. Gmc: see TOW(1)