harrow

Meanings

Noun

• A device consisting of a heavy framework having several disks or teeth in a row, which is dragged across ploughed land to smooth or break up the soil, to remove weeds or cover seeds; a harrow plow.
• An obstacle formed by turning an ordinary harrow upside down, the frame being buried.

Verb

• To drag a harrow over; to break up with a harrow.
• To traumatize or disturb; to frighten or torment.
• To break or tear, as if with a harrow; to wound; to lacerate; to torment or distress; to vex.

Interjection

• A call for help, or of distress, alarm etc.

Origin

• From Middle English harwe, harow, from Old English *hearwa (perhaps ultimately cognate with harvest), or from Old Norse harfr/herfi; compare Danish harve ("harrow"), Dutch hark ("rake"). Akin to Latin carpo.
• From Middle English harrow, harrowe, haro, from Old French haro, harou, harau, harol, from Frankish *harot, *hara, from *hēr. Akin to Old Saxon herod, Old High German herot, Middle Dutch hare.