tow

Etymology 1

From Middle English towen, from Old English togian, from Proto-West Germanic *togōn, from Proto-Germanic *tugōną, from Proto-Indo-European *dewk-. See also Middle High German zogen, German ziehen, Dutch tijgen, Old Norse toga.

verb

1. (transitive) To pull something behind one using a line or chain; to haul.
   In its current specification it cannot be driven and must be towed to its work location by a locomotive. September 7 2022, “At the cutting edge of NR's track work”, in RAIL, number 965, page 40, photo caption
2. (running, cycling, motor racing, etc.) To aid someone behind by shielding them from wind resistance.

noun

1. The act of towing and the condition of being towed.
   It isn't the car's battery; I think I need a tow.
2. Something, such as a tugboat, that tows.
3. Something, such as a barge, that is towed.
4. A rope or cable used in towing.
5. (motor racing) A speed increase given by driving in front of another car on a straight, which causes a slipstream for the car behind.
   On Saturday, Vettel was very unhappy with Leclerc's failure to work out a way through the traffic and give him a tow for the second runs in qualifying, as had been agreed. 8 September 2019, Andrew Benson, BBC Sport

Etymology 2

From Middle English touw, from Old English tow- (“spinning”) (in compounds, e.g. towcræft, towhūs, towlic), from Proto-Germanic *tawwą; compare Old Norse tó (“uncleansed wool”), Dutch touw (“rope”). Perhaps cognate with Old English tawian (“prepare for use”), Gothic 𐍄𐌰𐌿𐌾𐌰𐌽 (taujan, “do, make”).

noun

1. An untwisted bundle of fibres such as cellulose acetate, flax, hemp or jute.
2. (specifically) The short, coarse, less desirable fibres separated by hackling from the finer longer fibres (line).