Guided or directed something in a particular direction, like turning a ship's wheel or handling a car's steering.
From Old English 'steoran' meaning to guide or direct. Related to the noun 'stern' (rear of a ship). The metaphorical sense of guiding decisions evolved in Middle English.
The word 'steer' originally referred to steering cattle herds, which is why a young male cow is called a 'steer'—it's something you can guide and control. This same concept expanded to ships, cars, and then to guiding conversations and decisions.
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