This is the 3118th most frequent Dutch word.
dreef
A "dreef" is a lane, avenue, or drive, often lined with trees.
Here, 'dreef' is used as a noun referring to a tree-lined road or lane.
Hij liep langs de dreef op weg naar huis.
He walked along the lane on his way home.
In this sentence, 'dreef' is the past tense of the verb 'drijven,' meaning 'to drive' or 'to compel.'
De herinnering dreef hem tot het schrijven van een boek.
The memory drove him to write a book.
Here, 'dreef' is also the past tense of 'drijven,' but it is used in the context of floating on water.