Tow, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Towed; p. pr. & vb. n. Towing.]
Etymology: [OE. towen, totoga to pull about, OHG. zogon, Icel. toga, AS. tohline a towline, and AS.teón to draw, p.p. getogen. See Tug]
To draw or pull through the water, as a vessel of any kind, by means of a rope.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Tow, n.
The coarse and broken part of flax or hemp, separated from the finer part by the hatchel or swingle.
Tow, n.
1. A rope by which anything is towed; a towline, or towrope.
2. The act of towing, or the state of being towed;-chiefly used in the phrase, to take in tow, that is to tow.
3. That which is towed, or drawn by a towline, as a barge, raft, collection of boats, ect.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for tow; he lists it under draw.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.