Dive (dv), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dived (dvd), colloq. Dove (dv), a relic of the AS. strong forms deáf, dofen; p. pr. & vb. n. Diving.] [OE. diven, duven, AS. dfan to sink, v. t., fr. dfan, v. i.; akin to Icel. dfa, G. taufen, E. dip, deep, and perh. to dove, n. Cf. Dip.] 1. To plunge into water head foremost; to thrust the body under, or deeply into, water or other fluid.
It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them.
Whately.
The colloquial form dove is common in the United States as an imperfect tense form.
All [the walruses] dove down with a tremendous splash.
Dr. Hayes.
When closely pressed it [the loon] dove . . . and left the young bird sitting in the water.
J. Burroughs.
2. Fig.: To plunge or to go deeply into any subject, question, business, etc.; to penetrate; to explore. South.
Dive (?), v. t. 1. To plunge (a person or thing) into water; to dip; to duck. [Obs.] Hooker.