plow
UK: plaʊ | US: plaʊ
n. a farming tool used to turn over soil for planting
vt. to turn over soil using a plow
vi. to move forcefully through something (e.g., snow, water)
The word "plow" (also spelled "plough" in British English) traces back to Old English "plōh," referring to the agricultural implement. Its Proto-Germanic root "*plōgaz" and Proto-Indo-European "*pleh₂k-" (to tear) reflect its function of breaking up soil. The spelling "plow" emerged in American English as a simplified variant. As a verb, it expanded metaphorically to describe forceful movement (e.g., "plowing through work").
The farmer used a horse-drawn plow to prepare the field.
We need to plow the land before sowing the seeds.
The ship plowed through the rough waves.
He plowed his way through the crowded room.
Snowplows work overnight to clear the roads.