Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PILL, n. [L. pila, a ball; pilula, a little ball; W. pel, a ball; Ir. pillim, to roll. It is probable that this word and ball are of the same family.]

1. In pharmacy, a medicine in the form of a little ball or small round mass, to be swallowed whole. – Bacon.
2. Any thing nauseous. – Young.