Tow (tō), n. [OE. tow, AS. tow, akin to OD. touw, Icel. tō a tuft of wool for spinning; cf. E. taw, v. t.] The coarse and broken part of flax or hemp, separated from the finer part by the hatchel or swingle.
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Tow (?), n. [Cf. Icel. taug a rope, from the same root as E. tow, v. t.] 1. A rope by which anything is towed; a towline, or towrope.
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2. The act of towing, or the state of being towed; -- chiefly used in the phrase, to take in tow, that is to tow.
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3. That which is towed, or drawn by a towline, as a barge, raft, collection of boats, ect.
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