Etymology: Middle English dragge, probably from Middle Low German draggen grapnel; akin to Old English dragan to draw — more at draw
Date: 14th century
1: something used to drag with; especially: a device for dragging under water to detect or obtain objects 2: something that is dragged, pulled, or drawn along or over a surface: as a:harrowb: a sledge for conveying heavy bodies c:conveyance 3 a: the act or an instance of dragging or drawing: as (1): a drawing along or over a surface with effort or pressure (2): motion effected with slowness or difficulty; also: the condition of having or seeming to have such motion (3): a draw on a pipe, cigarette, or cigar; also: a draft of liquid b: a movement, inclination, or retardation caused by or as if by dragging cslang: influence securing special favor :pull 4 a: something that retards motion, action, or advancement b (1): the retarding force acting on a body (as an airplane) moving through a fluid (as air) parallel and opposite to the direction of motion (2): friction between engine parts; also: retardation due to friction c:burden, encumbrance<the drag of population growth on living standards>d: one that is boring or gets in the way of enjoyment <thinks studying is a drag><this sickly kid is going to be a social drag — Edmund Morris> 5 a: an object drawn over the ground to leave a scented trail b: a clog fastened to a trap to prevent the escape of a trapped animal 6:street, road<the main drag> 7 a:costume, outfit<in Victorian drag>b: clothing typical of one sex worn by a person of the opposite sex —often used in the phrase in drag 8:drag race