paw
UK: pɔː | US: pɔː
n. the foot of an animal, typically one with claws (e.g., a cat or dog)
v. to touch or scrape with a paw, often clumsily or rudely
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The word "paw" originates from Old French poue or poe (modern French patte), meaning "animal’s foot." It likely traces back to a Germanic source, possibly related to Dutch poot and Low German pote. The term has retained its core meaning of an animal’s foot, especially one with soft pads and claws, since its adoption into Middle English. Its verb form emerged later, metaphorically extending the idea of an animal’s clumsy or probing touch to human actions.
The cat gently placed its paw on my hand.
The dog left muddy paw prints all over the floor.
She scolded the puppy for trying to paw at her sandwich.
Bears use their powerful paws to dig for food.
He absentmindedly pawed through the papers on his desk.