\Wharf\, n.; pl. {Wharfs}or {Wharves}. [AS. hwerf, hwearf,
a returning, a change, from hweorfan to turn, turn about, go
about; akin to D. werf a wharf, G. werft, Sw. varf a
shipbuilder's yard, Dan. verft wharf, dockyard, G. werben to
enlist, to engage, woo, OHG. werban to turn about, go about,
be active or occupied, Icel. hverfa to turn, Goth.
hwa['i]rban, hwarb[=o]n, to walk. Cf. {Whirl}.]
1. A structure or platform of timber, masonry, iron, earth,
   or other material, built on the shore of a harbor, river,
   canal, or the like, and usually extending from the shore
   to deep water, so that vessels may lie close alongside to
   receive and discharge cargo, passengers, etc.; a quay; a
   pier.
         Commerce pushes its wharves into the sea.
                                               --Bancroft.
         Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and burgher,
         lord and dame.                        --Tennyson.
Note: The plural of this word is generally written wharves in
      the United States, and wharfs in England; but many
      recent English writers use wharves.
2. [AS. hwearf.] The bank of a river, or the shore of the
   sea. [Obs.] ``The fat weed that roots itself in ease on
   Lethe wharf.'' --Shak.
{Wharf boat}, a kind of boat moored at the bank of a river,
   and used for a wharf, in places where the height of the
   water is so variable that a fixed wharf would be useless.
   [U. S.] --Bartlett.
{Wharf rat}. (Zo["o]l.)
   (a) The common brown rat.
   (b) A neglected boy who lives around the wharfs. [Slang]

\Wharf\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wharfed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Wharfing}.]
1. To guard or secure by a firm wall of timber or stone
   constructed like a wharf; to furnish with a wharf or
   wharfs.
2. To place upon a wharf; to bring to a wharf.