I. ˈhəvəl sometimes ˈhäv- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English
1. chiefly dialect : an open shed or canopy for sheltering livestock or protecting produce
2.
a. : tabernacle
b. : a niche like those that replace pinnacles on some Gothic churches and shelter statues
3.
a. : a shed or open-roofed shelter for human beings
b. : a poor cottage : a small mean house : hut
4. : a large conical or conoidal brick structure within which a firing kiln is built
II. transitive verb
( hoveled or hovelled ; hoveled or hovelled ; hoveling or hovelling -v(ə)liŋ ; hovels )
1. : to put in a hovel : provide with a roof
hovel thee with swine, and rogues forlorn — Shakespeare
2. : to shape (as a chimney) like a hovel or hut
III. ˈhävəl also ˈhəv- verb
( hoveled or hovelled ; hoveled or hovelled ; hoveling or hovelling ; hovels )
Etymology: back-formation from hoveler
transitive verb
Britain : to aid (a ship) by pilotage, unloading, or landing passengers
intransitive verb
Britain : to aid ships in the capacity of a hoveler