The root of the word Hawdu is to "delay" or "pause"; a Yahudi (يهودي) from this root is a "Delayer" (singular) and the Yahūdu (اليهود) or "Delayers" (plural). The following is the linguistic analysis of this root in Arabic:
:والتَّهْوِيدُ والتَّهْوادُ والتَّهَوُّدُ: الإِبْطاءُ في السَّيْر واللِّينُ والتَّرَفُّقُ
i.e. Al-Tahweedu, Al-Tahwaadu, and Al-Tahawwudu: is the delay in walking, lineancy, or gentleness depending on the context. The relevant sense (Delay) is illustrated in the Hadith of Imran ibn Husain in which he instructed his people: "When I die, hurry up with my body to the burial and do not delay (Tuhawwidu) like the delaying of Al-Yahud (the delayers) and the Netzarim!" In Arabic: :وفي حديث عِمْران بن حُصين أَنه أَوْصَى عند موتِه: إِذا مُتُّ فَخَرَجْتُمْ بي، فأَسْرِعُوا المَشْيَ ولا تُهَوِّدُوا كما تُهَوِّدُ اليهودُ والنصارى [الكتب » الأوسط في السنن والإجماع والاختلاف لابن المنذر » - كِتَابُ الْجَنَائِزِ ذِكْرُ الأَمْرِ بِتَلْقِينِ ... » جِمَاعُ أَبْوَابِ الأَكْفَانِ » ذِكْرُ صِفَةِ السَّيْرِ ]
In this context the Yahudi refers to the ones who delay in repentance or the return to the Truth. NB this is contrary to [[Jews in the Quran|Alazeena Haadu]]. Indeed it is known that the Jews do not delay when it comes to burial as they are required to bury on the same day.