Dictionary of Americanisms, by John Russell Bartlett. (NY: Bartlett and Welford, 1848)::

TO STAVE. To break a hole in; to break; to burst; as, 'to stave a cask.'--Webster. This is the legitimate use of the verb; but sometimes we make it govern the instrument directly, as in the following example:

I'll stave my fist right through you, and carry you on my elbow, as easily as if you were an empty market-basket.--Neal's Charcoal Sketches.

TO STAVE. To hurry; to press forward.

A president of one of our colleges once said to a graduate at parting, "My son, I want to advise you. Never oppose public opinion. The great world will stave right on!"--Am. Review, June, 1848.

Hiloa! Steve! where are you a staving to? If you're for Wellington, scale up here and I'll give you a ride.--Mrs. Clavers's Forest Life.