Haw /(ha̤)/

Haw

n.
  1. A hedge; an inclosed garden or yard.
    And eke there was a polecat in his haw.
  2. The fruit of the hawthorn.

Haw

n.
  1. The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. See Nictitating membrane, under Nictitate. (Anat.)

Haw

n.
  1. An intermission or hesitation of speech, with a sound somewhat like haw! also, the sound so made.

Haw

v. i.
  1. To stop, in speaking, with a sound like haw; to speak with interruption and hesitation.
    Cut it short; don't prose -- don't hum and haw.
    — Chesterfield.

Phrases & Compounds
hemming and hawing
speaking hesitantly and inarticulately, with numerous pauses and interjections.

Haw

v. i.

imp. & p. p. Hawed; p. pr. & vb. n. Hawing

  1. To turn to the near side, or toward the driver; -- said of cattle or a team: a word used by teamsters in guiding their teams, and most frequently in the imperative. See Gee.

Phrases & Compounds
To haw and gee
to go from one thing to another without good reason; to have no settled purpose; to be irresolute or unstable.

Haw

v. t.
  1. To cause to turn, as a team, to the near side, or toward the driver; as, to haw a team of oxen.

Phrases & Compounds
To haw and gee
to lead this way and that at will; to lead by the nose; to master or control.