What is "to drag an anchor"

Drag \Drag\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dragged; p. pr. & vb. n. Dragging.] [OE. draggen; akin to Sw. dragga to search with a grapnel, fr. dragg grapnel, fr. draga to draw, the same word as E. draw. ? See Draw.]

1. To draw slowly or heavily onward; to pull along the ground by main force; to haul; to trail; -- applied to drawing heavy or resisting bodies or those inapt for drawing, with labor, along the ground or other surface; as, to drag stone or timber; to drag a net in fishing.

   Dragged by the cords which through his feet were thrust.
   --Denham.

   The grossness of his nature will have weight to drag thee down.
   --Tennyson.

   A needless Alexandrine ends the song That, like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along.
   --Pope.

2. To break, as land, by drawing a drag or harrow over it; to harrow; to draw a drag along the bottom of, as a stream or other water; hence, to search, as by means of a drag.

   Then while I dragged my brains for such a song.
   --Tennyson.

3. To draw along, as something burdensome; hence, to pass in pain or with difficulty.

   Have dragged a lingering life. -- Dryden.

   To drag an anchor (Naut.), to trail it along the bottom when the anchor will not hold the ship.

   Syn: See Draw.