Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - toward

 I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English ~, from Old English toweard facing, imminent, from to, preposition, to + -weard -ward  Date: before 12th century  1. (also ~s) Middle English ~es, from Old English toweardes, preposition, ~, from toweard, adjective  a. coming soon ; imminent  b. happening at the moment ; afoot  2.  a. obsolete quick to learn ; apt  b. propitious, favoring a ~ breeze  II. preposition  or ~s  Date: before 12th century  1. in the direction of driving ~ town  2.  a. along a course leading to a long stride ~ disarmament  b. in relation to an attitude ~ life  3.  a. at a point in the direction of ; near a cottage somewhere up ~ the lake  b. in such a position as to be in the direction of your back was ~ me  4. not long before ~ the end of the afternoon  5.  a. in the way of help or assistance in did all he could ~ raising campaign funds  b. for the partial payment of proceeds go ~ the establishment of a scholarship