also: へつぽつ · へつふつ
adverb taking the 'to' particle, taru-adjective
rocking from side to side (of a boat)
Literary or archaic adverb describing the swaying motion of a boat. Often used with と (to) or in a たる (taru) adjective form.
小舟が波に揺られて丿乀と揺れた。
The small boat rocked from side to side in the waves.
The derivation is uncertain. The kanji 丿乀 are rare and may be chosen for their visual resemblance to a rocking motion.