tug tug /ˈtʌg/

noun

1. () A sudden abrupt pull  ( jerk , tug )
   a sudden abrupt pull
   
2. A powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships  ( tower , tug , tugboat , towboat )
   a powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships
   
   

verb

1. () Pull hard  ( tug )
   pull hard
    The prisoner tugged at the chains
   The prisoner tugged at the chains
    This movie tugs at the heart strings
   This movie tugs at the heart strings
   
2. Struggle in opposition  ( tug )
   struggle in opposition
    She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts
   She tugged and wrestled with her conflicts
   
3. Pull or strain hard at  ( tug )
   pull or strain hard at
    Each oar was tugged by several men
   Each oar was tugged by several men
   
4. Move by pulling hard  ( tug )
   move by pulling hard
    The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud
   The horse finally tugged the cart out of the mud
   
5. Carry with difficulty  ( tote , tug , lug )
   carry with difficulty
    You'll have to lug this suitcase
   You'll have to lug this suitcase
   
6. Tow (a vessel) with a tug  ( tug )
   tow (a vessel) with a tug
    The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor
   The tugboat tugged the freighter into the harbor
   
7. Strive and make an effort to reach a goal  ( labour [Canadian, British] , tug , plow on [American] , drive , labor [American] , push )
   strive and make an effort to reach a goal
    She tugged for years to make a decent living
   She tugged for years to make a decent living
    We have to push a little to make the deadline!
   We have to push a little to make the deadline!
    She is driving away at her doctoral thesis
   She is driving away at her doctoral thesis