v.1. To reverse direction: When the troops saw the enemy approaching, they put about and fled.
2. To cause something to reverse direction. Used chiefly of sailing vessels: The captain put the ship about and we sailed back home.
3. To spread some information or rumor: The boss put about the rumor that there was a major policy change for next year. Your story is inaccurate, and I wish you hadn't put it about without talking to me.