Definition of the word rove

The word "rove" originally comes from the Old English word "hreof," which had multiple meanings, including "household," "dwelling," "farmstead," and "settlement." Over time, "hreof" evolved into the Middle English word "roof," which referred to the roof of a building as well as the structure itself. The Old English phrase "on þæs hreofes because," meaning "on the homestead's outskirts," became the Middle English phrase "on roofes becosynge," which altered to "on rofes becosen," and eventually shortened to just "rove" or "roves." The modern meaning of "rove" is "to travel about or wander aimlessly," which is derived from the Old English verb "rāwan," meaning "to drive" or "to herd," as in the driving or guiding of livestock. In summary, the word "rove" evolved from its original meaning of "household" or "dwelling" in Old English, to refer to traveling or wandering in Middle English, due to changes in pronunciation and meaning over time.