U

havering

noun

a borough of Greater London, England.

verb (used without object) Chiefly British.

to equivocate; vacillate.

noun

a borough of NE Greater London, formed in 1965 from Romford and Hornchurch (both previously in Essex). Pop: 224 600 (2003 est). Area: 120 sq km (46 sq miles)

verb (intr) British

to dither
Scot and Northern English dialect to talk nonsense; babble

noun

(usually plural) Scot nonsense

n.1

“oats,” Northern English, late 13c., probably from Old Norse hafre, from Proto-Germanic *habron- (cf. Old Norse hafri, Old Saxon havoro, Dutch haver, Old High German habaro, German Haber, Hafer). Buck suggests it is perhaps literally “goat-food” and compares Old Norse hafr “he-goat.” “Haver is a common word in the northern countries for oats.” [Johnson]

n.2

“owner, possessor,” late 14c., agent noun from have.