The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Taw \Taw\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tawed; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Tawing.] [OE. tawen, tewen, AS. t[=a]wian to prepare; cf.
   D. touwen, Goth. t[=e]wa order, taujan to do, and E. tool.
   [root]64. Cf. 1st Tew, Tow the coarse part of flax.]
   1. To prepare or dress, as hemp, by beating; to tew; hence,
      to beat; to scourge. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To dress and prepare, as the skins of sheep, lambs, goats,
      and kids, for gloves, and the like, by imbuing them with
      alum, salt, and other agents, for softening and bleaching
      them.
      [1913 Webster]