Haw — Defs

01 n. A hedge; an inclosed garden or yard.

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

02 n. The third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. See Nictitating membrane, under Nictitate.

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

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

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

04 v. i. To stop, in speaking, with a sound like haw; to speak with interruption and hesitation.

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.

05 v. i. 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 freq…

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. 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.

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

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.