lug

Etymology 1

From Middle English luggen, possibly from Scandinavian source, (compare Swedish lugga, Norwegian lugge); also in English dialectal as lig (“to lug”). Noun is via Scots lugge, probably from Old Norse (compare Norwegian and Swedish lugg). Probably related to slug (“lazy, slow-moving”), which may be from similar source(s). See slow.

noun

1. The act of hauling or dragging.
   a hard lug
2. That which is hauled or dragged.
   The pack is a heavy lug.
3. Anything that moves slowly.
   whereof the one is quick of cast, trick, and trim both for pleasure and profit: the other is a lug
4. A lug nut.
5. (electricity) A device for terminating an electrical conductor to facilitate the mechanical connection; to the conductor it may be crimped to form a cold weld, soldered or have pressure from a screw.
6. A part of something which sticks out, used as a handle or support.
7. A large, clumsy, awkward man; a fool.
8. (UK) An ear or ear lobe.
   While shaving, the poor sod had a fit and cut part of a lug off.
9. A wood box used for transporting fruit or vegetables.
10. (slang) A request for money, as for political purposes.
    They put the lug on him at the courthouse.
11. A lugworm.
12. (informal) A pull or drag on a cigarette.
    He took another long lug on his cigarette before continuing quietly, 'I've seen too much and it was seriously screwing me up. […] 2013, Paul Burke, The Man Who Fell In Love With His Wife

verb

1. (transitive, sometimes figurative) To haul or drag along (especially something heavy); to carry; to pull.
   Why do you always lug around so many books?
   They must divide the image among them, and so lug off every one his share. c. 1700, Jeremy Collier, A Thought
   As a rule, you see, I'm not lugged into Family Rows. On the occasions when Aunt is calling to Aunt like mastodons bellowing across primeval swamps and Uncle James's letter about Cousin Mabel's peculiar behaviour is being shot round the family circle... the clan has a tendency to ignore me. 1923, P. G. Wodehouse, The Inimitable Jeeves
   Luggage areas need to be within sight, rather than at the end of carriages, despite the inconvenience of lugging cases further into a carriage. July 14 2021, Anthony Lambert, “Grand designs on superior interiors”, in RAIL, number 935, page 48
2. (transitive) To run at too slow a speed.
   When driving up a hill, choose a lower gear so you don't lug the engine.
3. (transitive, nautical) To carry an excessive amount of sail for the conditions prevailing.
4. (intransitive, horse-racing) To pull toward the inside rail ("lugging in") or the outside rail ("lugging out") during a race.

Etymology 2

From Middle English lugge (“pole, stick, staff”).

noun

1. (UK, dialect) A rod or pole.
   And from the bodies [of pines and oaks] the boughes and loftie lugges they beare. 1567, George Turberville, Epitome
2. (UK, archaic, dialect) A measure of length equal to 16+¹⁄₂ feet.
3. (nautical) A lugsail.
4. (harness) The leather loop or ear by which a shaft is held up.
5. A loop (or protuberance) found on both arms of a hinge, featuring a hole for the axis of the hinge.
6. A ridge or other protuberance on the surface of a body to increase traction or provide a hold for holding and moving it.