from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
thaw \thaw\ (th[add]), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Thawed} (th[add]d);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Thawing}.] [AS. [thorn][=a]wian,
[thorn][=a]wan; akin to D. dovijen, G. tauen, thauen (cf.
also verdauen to digest, OHG. douwen, firdouwen), Icel.
[thorn]eyja, Sw. t["o]a, Dan. t["o]e, and perhaps to Gr.
th`kein to melt. [root]56.]
1. To melt, dissolve, or become fluid; to soften; -- said of
that which is frozen; as, the ice thaws.
[1913 Webster]
2. To become so warm as to melt ice and snow; -- said in
reference to the weather, and used impersonally.
[1913 Webster]
3. Fig.: To grow gentle or genial. Compare {cold}[4], a. and
{hard}[6], a.
[1913 Webster +PJC]