rove

Etymology 1

Probably from Middle English *roven, a Midlands variant of Northern Middle English raven (“to wander”), from Old Norse ráfa (“to rove; stray about”). Cognate with Icelandic ráfa (“to wander”), Scots rave (“to wander; stray; roam”).

verb

1. (obsolete, intransitive) To shoot with arrows (at).
2. (intransitive) To roam, or wander about at random, especially over a wide area.
3. (transitive) To roam or wander through.
4. (transitive) To card wool or other fibres.
   Although both [flax and wool] must be roved and spun upon similar principles, each requires peculiar modifications in its machinery. 1835, Andrew Ure, The Philosophy of Manufacturers
5. To twist slightly; to bring together, as slivers of wool or cotton, and twist slightly before spinning.
6. To draw through an eye or aperture.
7. To plough into ridges by turning the earth of two furrows together.
8. To practice robbery on the seas; to voyage about on the seas as a pirate.

noun

1. A copper washer upon which the end of a nail is clinched in boatbuilding.
2. A roll or sliver of wool or cotton drawn out and lightly twisted, preparatory to further processing; a roving.
3. The act of wandering; a ramble.

Etymology 2

Inflected forms.

verb

1. simple past of rive
2. simple past of reeve