Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAR'SON, n. [pàrsn; G. pfarrherr, pfarrer, lord of the pfarre, benefice or living. I know not from what root pfarre is derived. See Parish.]

1. The priest of a parish or ecclesiastical society; the rector or incumbent of a parish, who has the parochial charge or cure of souls. It is used in this sense by all denominations of Christians; among independents or congregationalists it is merely a colloquial word.
2. A clergyman; a man that is in orders or has been licensed to preach. – Shak.