haw
UK[hɔː]US[hɔː]
n
A hawthorn berry or the hawthorn tree.
n
The nictitating membrane of an animal, especially a dog or horse.
v
To make a hesitant sound, often as a stage in clearing the throat.
interj
Used to represent such a sound, often indicating hesitation, awkwardness, or to attract attention.
Etymology
The word 'haw' has a dual origin, both deeply rooted in Old English. For the berry, it comes from Old English haga, meaning "hedge, enclosure," which is also the source of "hawthorn" (the thorny hedge plant). This connects to the Proto-Germanic hagô and ultimately the Proto-Indo-European root kagh- meaning "to catch, seize," an enclosure being a seized or bounded space. Separately, the hesitant verbal and interjectional 'haw' is purely imitative, originating from the natural sound of a throat clearing or a grunt. The ocular meaning, referring to a membrane, is a specialized 15th-century development from the berry sense, likely due to a perceived resemblance in shape or appearance.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin, functioning as a whole unit. It is an example of onomatopoeia for the sound of clearing the throat and a native English word for a common berry.
Examples
The birds feasted on the bright red haws in the winter hedge.
The old professor would always haw and hem before answering a difficult question.
"Haw! You there! Watch where you're going!" the farmer called from across the field.