dove and Dove, dove into the water

I was in the process of constructing a post about the whales off City Beach and used - dove down under the surface.
Then I thought - It looks too much like Dove, the bird.
Changed the sentence to - as it dived.
Do you use the word dove, as in go under the surface?

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DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

It was once the past tense of dive. I do recall saying dove even in the 1970s when I was quite literally "diving".

The use of "dove" as the past tense of "dive" in American English became popular in the early to mid-20th century.

Historical Context

Early 20th Century (1900s-1940s): The transition began, with "dove" appearing more frequently in American writing.
1950s and Beyond: By this time, "dove" had established itself as the common past tense in American English.

In contrast, "dived" has been the traditional past tense in British English since the 19th century and remains prevalent there.

BTW Dove is the name of a popular hand soap here in the USA. If you search it might even come up.