I. ˈfa(ˌ)rō, -_rə also ˈfe(-, often -_rəw+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English farwen, from (assumed) Old English feargian, from Old English fearh young pig; akin to Old High German farah young pig, Latin porcus domestic pig, Lithuanian paršas barrow
transitive verb
: to give birth to (a farrow)
intransitive verb
of swine : to bring forth young — often used with down
planned to have the gilts farrow down about the end of March
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a litter of pigs
2. : an act of farrowing
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English (Scots) ferow, ferrow, probably from (assumed) Middle Dutch (Flemish dialect) verwe-, varwe- (whence Flemish verwe-, varwe- in verwekoe, varwekoe cow that has ceased bearing); probably akin to Old English fearr bull, ox — more at pare
of a cow : not in calf : not settled