Hov″er, v. i. [imp. & p. p.Hovered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Hovering.] [OE. hoveren, and hoven, prob. orig., to abide, linger, and fr. AS. hof house; cf. OFries. hovia to receive into one's house. See Hovel.] 1. To hang fluttering in the air, or on the wing; to remain in flight or floating about or over a place or object; to be suspended in the air above something.
Great flights of birds are hovering about the bridge, and settling on it. Addison.
A hovering mist came swimming o'er his sight. Dryden.
2. To hang about; to move to and fro near a place, threateningly, watchfully, or irresolutely.
Agricola having sent his navy to hover on the coast. Milton.
Hovering o'er the paper with her quill. Shak.