Throe, n.
Etymology: [OE. , , AS. a threatening, oppression, suffering, perhaps influenced by Icel. a throe, a pang, a longing; cf. AS. to suffer.]
1. Extreme pain; violent pang; anguish; agony; especially, one of the pangs of travail in childbirth, or purturition. Prodogious motion felt, and rueful throes. Milton.
2. A tool for splitting wood into shingles; a frow.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Throe, v. i.
To struggle in extreme pain; to be in agony; to agonize.
Throe, v. t.
To put in agony. [R.] Shak.