Emily Dickinson Lexicon

YAWN, v.i. [Sax. geonan, gynian; G. gähnen; W. agenu; Gr. χαινω.]

1. To gape; to oscitate; to have the mouth open involuntarily through drowsiness or dullness. The lazy, yawning drone. – Shak. And while above he spends his breath, / The yawning audience nod beneath. – Trumbull.
2. To open wide; as, wide yawns the gulf below.
3. To express desire by yawning; as to yawn for fat livings. – Hooker.