Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DROVE, n. [Sax. draf; from drive.]

1. A collection of cattle driven; a number of animals, as oxen, sheep or swine, driven in a body. We speak of a herd of cattle, and a flock of sheep, when a number is collected; but properly a drove is a herd or flock driven. It is applicable to any species of brutes. Hence,
2. Any collection of irrational animals, moving or driving forward; as, a finny drove. – Milton.
3. A crowd of people in motion. Where droves, as at a city gate, may pass. – Dryden.
4. A road for driving cattle. [English.]