Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
NIGH
I. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English nēah; akin to Old High German nāh, adverb , nigh, preposition, nigh, after, Old Norse nā- nigh Date: before 12th century near in place, time, or relationship, nearly , almost ,
II. adjective Date: before 12th century close , near , direct , short , being on the left side ,
III. preposition Date: before 12th century near ,
IV. verb
Date: 13th century
transitive verb to draw or come near to ; approach , intransitive verb to draw near