Definition of heave-to:
(v) :
(transitive) To lift with difficulty; to raise with some effort; to lift (a heavy thing).
(v) :
(transitive) To throw, cast.
(v) :
(intransitive) To rise and fall.
(v) :
(transitive) To utter with effort.
(v) :
(intransitive) To retch, to make an effort to vomit; to vomit.
(v) :
(intransitive) To make an effort to raise, throw, or move anything; to strain to do something difficult.