dow

1 of 2

verb

dought ˈdau̇t How to pronounce dow (audio) or dowed ˈdau̇d How to pronounce dow (audio) ; dowing

intransitive verb

chiefly Scotland
: to be able or capable

Dow

2 of 2

noun

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English dow, deih have worth, am able, from Old English dēah, dēag; akin to Old High German toug is worthy, is useful — more at doughty

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near dow

Cite this Entry

“Dow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dow. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on dow

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!