Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Vow

Vow , noun

[Old English vou, Old French vou, veu, vo, vu, French v{not transcribed}u, from Latin votum, from vovere, to vow. Compare Avow, Devout, Vote.]

1.
A solemn promise made to God, or to some deity; an act by which one consecrates or devotes himself, absolutely or conditionally, wholly or in part, for a longer or shorter time, to some act, service, or condition; a devotion of one's possessions; as, a baptismal vow; a vow of poverty.
Nothing... that may... stain my vow of Nazarite. — Milton
I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow. — 2 Sam. xv. 7
I am combined by a sacred vow. — Shakespeare
2.
Specifically, a promise of fidelity; a pledge of love or affection; as, the marriage vow.
Knights of love, who never broke their vow; Firm to their plighted faith. — Dryden

Vow , transitive verb

[Old English vouen, Old French vouer, voer, French vouer, Late Latin votare. See Vow, n.]

1.
To give, consecrate, or dedicate to God, or to some deity, by a solemn promise; to devote; to promise solemnly.
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it. — Eccl. v. 4
[Men] that vow a long and weary pilgrimage. — Shakespeare
2.
To assert solemnly; to asseverate.

Vow , intransitive verb

To make a vow, or solemn promise.
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. — Eccl. v. 5