Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DOSE, n. [Fr. dose; It. dosa; Gr. δοσις, that which is given, from διδωμι, to give; W. dodi, to give.]

1. The quantity of medicine given or prescribed to be taken at one time. – Quincy.
2. Any thing given to be swallowed; any thing nauseous, that one is obliged to take. – South.
3. A quantity; a portion. – Granville.
4. As much as a man can swallow. – Johnson.