Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Hover \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.