Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DEER, n. [sing. and plur.; Sax. deor; D. dier; G. thier; Sw. diur; Dan. dyr; Polish zwiers; Gr. θηρ, a wild beast. The primary sense is simply roving, wild, untamed; hence, a wild beast.]

A quadruped of the genus Cervus, of several species, as the stag, the fallow deer, the roe-buck, the rane or rane-deer, &c. These animals are wild and hunted in the forest, or kept in parks. Their flesh, called venison, is deemed excellent food.