Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ROW, v.t. [Sax. rowan, reowan; Sw. ro; Dan. roer; D. roeijen; the latter signifies to row and to gauge; G. ruder, an oar; rudern, to row; Sax. rother, an oar; Gr. ερεττω, ερεσσω, to row; ερετμος, an oar. If the noun is the primary word, ruder and rother, an oar, may be from the root of rod, L. radius, or from the root of rado, to rub, grate, sweep. If the verb is the primary word, the sense is to sweep, to urge, drive, impel. Class Rd. See Rudder.]

1. To impel, as a boat or vessel along the surface of water by oars; as, to row a boat.
2. To transport by rowing; as, to row the captain ashore in his barge.