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.
The small boat rocked from side to side in the waves.
Alternate reading with voiced consonant.
Historical kana spelling; rarely used in modern writing.
The derivation is uncertain. The kanji 丿乀 are rare and may be chosen for their visual resemblance to a rocking motion.