Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Steer
Steer (stēr), n. [OE. steer, AS. steór; akin to D. & G. stier a bull, OHG. stior, Icel. stjōrr, þjōrr, Sw. tjur, Dan. tyr, Goth. stiur, Russ. tur', Pol. tur, Ir. & Gael. tarbh, W. tarw, L. taurus, Gr. ταῦρος, Skr. sthūra strong, stout, AS. stor large, Icel. stōrr, OHG. stūri, stiuri. √168. Cf. Stirk, Taurine, a.] A young male of the ox kind; especially, a common ox; a castrated taurine male from two to four years old. See the Note under Ox.
Steer, v. t. To castrate; — said of male calves.
Steer, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Steered; p. pr. & vb. n. Steering.] [OE. steeren, steren, AS. stiéran, stȳran, steóran; akin to OFries. stiora, stiura, D. sturen, OD. stieren, G. steuren, OHG. stiuren to direct, support, G. steuer contribution, tax, Icel. stȳra to steer, govern,Sw. styra, Dan. styre, Goth. stiurjan to establish, AS. steór a rudder, a helm, and probably to Icel. staurr a pale, stake, Gr. σταυρός, and perhaps ultimately to E. stand. √168. Cf. Starboard, Stern, n.] To direct the course of; to guide; to govern; — applied especially to a vessel in the water.
That with a staff his feeble steps did steer. Spenser.
Steer, v. i. 1. To direct a vessel in its course; to direct one's course. "No helmsman steers." Tennyson.
2. To be directed and governed; to take a direction, or course; to obey the helm; as, the boat steers easily.
Where the wind Veers oft, as oft [a ship] so steers, and shifts her sail. Milton.
3. To conduct one's self; to take or pursue a course of action.
Steer, n. [AS. steór, stiór; akin to D. stuur, G. steuer, Icel. stȳri. √186. See Steer, v. t.] [Written also stere.] A rudder or helm. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Steer, n. [AS. steóra. See Steer a rudder.] A helmsman, a pilot. [Obs.] Chaucer.