shuttle

noun

1. 1. an instrument containing a reel or spool of the woof thread, used in weaving to carry the thread back and forth between the warp threads
   2. a smaller but similar thread holder used in tatting, etc.
   3. a device that carries the lower thread back and forth in making a lock stitch on a sewing machine
   4. any of several devices having a similar to-and-fro action
2. ☆
   1. a traveling back and forth over an often short route, as by an airplane, train, bus, etc.: kept the planes in a 24-hour shuttle
   2. the route so traveled
   3. a shuttle service offered by an airline, esp. one for which reservations are not required: the New York-Washington shuttle
   4. an airplane, train, bus, etc. used in a shuttle
3. space shuttle
4. shuttlecock

Origin: ME schutylle < OE scytel, missile < base of sceotan, to shoot: so called because shot to and fro with the thread in weaving

transitive verb, intransitive verb shuttled, shuttling

1. to move or go back and forth rapidly or frequently
2. ☆ to move or go by or as by means of a shuttle