stəu v.tr. 1 pack (goods etc.) tidily
and compactly. 2 Naut.
place (a
cargo or provisions) in
its proper place and
order. 3
fill (a receptacle)
with articles compactly arranged. 4 (usu. in imper.) sl.
abstain or
cease from (stow
the noise!). østow
away 1 place (a thing)
where it will
not cause an
obstruction. 2 be a
stowaway on a
ship etc. [ME, f.
BESTOW: in Naut.
use perh. infl. by Du. stouwen]