1. past tense of 'haw': to turn left (a command given to a horse or ox)
Usage: usually used with animals, especially horses and oxen; often paired with 'gee' (turn right)
2. past tense of 'haw': to make a hesitant sound; to hem and haw (speak with pauses and filler words)
Usage: informal; often used in the phrase 'hemmed and hawed'

Examples

• The farmer hawed at the oxen to make them turn left.
• She hawed and hemmed before finally giving her answer.
• He hawed nervously during the job interview.
• The teamster hawed his horses around the bend.
• Instead of saying yes or no, he just hawed and changed the subject.