Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PI'LOT, n. [Fr. pilote; It. Sp. and Port. piloto. The French word piloter signifies to drive in piles, as well as to pilot, and pilotage is a piling, pile-work, a foundation of piles; Arm. pilocha, to drive piles. The D. loots, G. lothse, and Dan. lods, are from lead; the pilot then is the lead-man, he that throws the lead.]

1. One who steers a ship in a dangerous navigation, or rather one whose office or occupation is to steer ships, particularly along a coast, or into and out of a harbor, bay or river, where navigation is dangerous.
2. A guide; a director of the course of another person. [In colloquial use.]