HEAD (3)

Head (hĕd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Headed; p. pr. & vb. n. Heading.] 1. 1. To be at the head of; to put one's self at the head of; to lead; to direct; to act as leader to; as, to head an army, an expedition, or a riot. Dryden.
2. 2. To form a head to; to fit or furnish with a head; as, to head a nail. Spenser.
3. 3. To behead; to decapitate. Shak.
4. 4. To cut off the top of; to lop off; as, to head trees.
5. 5. To go in front of; to get in the front of, so as to hinder or stop; to oppose; hence, to check or restrain; as, to head a drove of cattle; to head a person; the wind heads a ship.
6. 6. To set on the head; as, to head a cask.
To head off, to intercept; to get before; as, an officer heads off a thief who is escaping. — To head up, to close, as a cask or barrel, by fitting a head to.