Etymology From Middle English howe, from Anglo-Norman houe, from Frankish *hauwā, derivative of Frankish *hauwan (“to hew”), from Proto-Germanic *hawwaną. More at hew.
› Any of various tools for scraping…
1
An agricultural and horticultural hand tool consisting of a long handle with a flat blade fixed perpendicular to it at the end, used for digging rows or removing weeds by hand.
When not otherwise specified
For their organic row crops, they do the weeding with hoes. They get in there often, but it goes fast, and the weeds never get ahead.
It was obvious that it consisted of several blows to the head from the hoe.2009, TRU TV, 28 March
2
Any of several implements or machines usually called by their more specific names, for example, backhoe.
The grading is on hold. In the meantime, get that hoe over here and work on this utility trench. [Instructions issued to a worker who will operate a backhoe]
Etymology From Middle English howe, from Anglo-Norman houe, from Frankish *hauwā, derivative of Frankish *hauwan (“to hew”), from Proto-Germanic *hawwaną. More at hew.
1
Ambitransitive To cut, dig, scrape, turn, arrange, or clean, with this tool.
to hoe the earth in a garden
Every year, I hoe my garden for aeration.
1 more example
I always take a shower after I hoe in my garden.
2
To clear from weeds, or to loosen or arrange the earth about, with a hoe.
to hoe corn
The first thing he saw was Mr. McGregor hoeing onions. His back was turned towards Peter, and beyond him was the gate!1902, Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit: