slew v also sloo, slue. Cp OED ~ v 2 'to turn about' for senses 1 and 3; EDD 3 'to edge around; avoid' Co for sense 4.
1 To turn a boat, esp by backing water with one oar and pulling with the other; BELAY.
P 229-67 Slue around the punt! C 70-10 [He] told me that he would never slew his boat against the sun because it would be a sign of bad luck. He said that he would always slew it towards the sun [and] the people I went out with this summer used to always slew the boat that way. Q 71-16 To turn with an oar or just to turn is called slew around in Little Bay and Little Bay Islands.
2 To force ice to one side with the bow of a vessel; BUTT v.
1909 BERNIER 7 Slew, slewing is forcing the vessel
ahead against the corner of a piece of ice, with the intention of causing it to slew or swing out of the way, so as to force a passage by it.
3 To avoid; veer off.
1955 ENGLISH 36 Sloo. To get out of the way. 1968 KEATING 57 But when the English laddies come ashore, byes, look out. A wise man'll sloo, for it's takin' the drop of drink and clinkin' and cloutin' and ballyraggin' the town to a clobber.
4 To shift; take another direction.
1961 Evening Telegram 28 Apr, p. 7 My conversations frequently (from lifelong habit) 'slewed into
cuffers' on family and local traditions.
