Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EN'VOY, n. [Fr. envoyé, an envoy, from envoyer, to send. The corresponding Italian word is inviato, an envoy, that is, sent; and the verb inviare, to send. The Spanish is enviado; and the verb enviar, to send. Port. id. Hence envoy is from the root of L. via, Eng. way, contracted from viag, vag, or wag; It. viaggiare, to travel; Sp. viage, way, voyage. Class Bg.]

1. A person deputed by a prince or government, to negotiate a treaty, or transact other business, with a foreign prince or government. We usually apply the word to a public minister sent on a special occasion, or for one particular purpose; hence an envoy is distinguished from an embassador or permanent resident at a foreign court, and is of inferior rank. But envoys are ordinary and extraordinary, and the word may sometimes be applied to resident ministers.
2. A common messenger. [Not in use.] Blackmore.
3. Formerly, a postscript sent with compositions, to enforce them. [Fr. envoi.] Warton.