I. ˈwu̇f, ˈwüf noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by weave and warp ) of earlier ofe, from Middle English oof, from Old English ōwef, from ō- (from on ) + wefan to weave — more at weave
1.
a. : a filling thread or yarn in weaving : weft
b. : thread for or as if for the woof
c. : woven fabric ; also : the texture of such a fabric
2. : a basic or essential element or material
the woof of his chorus … is an infectious Negro song — Lazare Saminsky
the warp is twelve fugues and the woof twelve interludes — Saturday Review
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to weave in the manner of a woof crossing a warp
III. ˈwu̇f noun
( -s )
Etymology: imitative
1. : a low gruff sound typically produced by a dog as a suppressed bark
2. : a low note emitted by sound reproducing equipment — contrasted with tweet
IV. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make the sound of a woof
the bull … woofed through wide nostrils — Ernest Hemingway