Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
TOW
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English togian; akin to Old English tēon to draw, pull, Old High German ziohan to draw, pull, Latin ducere to draw, lead Date: before 12th century transitive verb to draw or pull along behind ; haul , intransitive verb to move in tow ,
II. noun
Date: 1600
a rope or chain for towing,
2. the act or an instance of towing, the fact or state of being towed,
3. something towed (as a boat or car), a group of barges lashed together and usually pushed,
4. something (as a tugboat) that tows, ski tow ,
III. noun see: taw
Date: 14th century
short or broken fiber (as of flax, hemp, or synthetic material) that is used especially for yarn, twine, or stuffing,
2. yarn or cloth made of tow, a loose essentially untwisted strand of synthetic fibers,
IV. noun
Etymology: Middle English (Scots), probably from Old English toh- (in tohlīne towline); akin to Old English togian to tow
Date: 14th century
rope