from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Steer \Steer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Steered} (st[=e]rd); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Steering}.] [OE. steeren, steren, AS. sti['e]ran,
st[=y]ran, ste['o]ran; akin to OFries. stiora, stiura, D.
sturen, OD. stieren, G. steuern, OHG. stiuren to direct,
support, G. steuer contribution, tax, Icel. st[=y]ra to
steer, govern, Sw. styra, Dan. styre, Goth. stiurjan to
establish, AS. ste['o]r a rudder, a helm, and probably to
Icel. staurr a pale, stake, Gr. stayro`s, and perhaps
ultimately to E. stand. [root]168. Cf. {Starboard}, {Stern},
n.]
To direct the course of; to guide; to govern; -- applied
especially to a vessel in the water.
[1913 Webster]
That with a staff his feeble steps did steer.
--Spenser.
[1913 Webster]