Dave

Alternative forms

• daive, deave, deve

Origin

From Middle English deven, deaven ("to make deaf"), from Old English dēafian ("to wax or become deaf") and Old Norse deyfa ("to make deaf, make blunt, numb, soothe, allay"). Cognate with Norwegian dialectal døyva ("to deafen, make dull").

Full definition of dave

Verb

1. (transitive, UK dialectal) To assuage; soften; mitigate; relieve; calm; alleviate (pain).----