What is steering?

I am a first time homebuyer. I want to buy a beautiful house that will be perfect for my family. It is in Lewistown, Montana. We already checked out the place and the wife and children agreed that we want that house. It has one master bedroom, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and nice kitchen for my wife. I told the Realtor that I want to buy the house and I am going to apply for a house loan. Since I have good credit and I have a stable job. However, I was disappointed on what turned out. When I asked about some information on how to get a house loan I was given some information that I just do not understand. What is steering? Someone just said that to me at the realty firm. Can a loan officer only direct you to open one program if there are numerous programs available for a first time homebuyer?