verb transto pull (something) hard or suddenlyto tow (a ship), esp by means of a tugboat verb intransto pull hardtugger noun[Middle English; related to Old English togian tow1]
a hard sudden pull or jerk She felt the tug of the current the tug of nostalgiaa strongly built powerful boat used for towing larger boats and ships, esp in a harbouran aircraft that tows a glidera struggle or fight