Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EM'PIR-IC, n. [Gr. εμπειρικος; εν and πειραω, to attempt; L. empiricus; Fr. empirique; Sp. and It. empirico. See Peril and Pirate.]

Literally, one who makes experiments. Hence its appropriate signification is, a physician who enters on practice without a regular professional education, and relies on the success of his own experience. Hence the word is used also for a quack, an ignorant pretender to medical skill, a charlatan. Encyc.