Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-VOW', v.t. [Fr. avouer; Arm. avoei; Norm. avower; L. voveo.]

1. To declare openly, with a view to justify, maintain, or defend; or simply to own, acknowledge or confess frankly; as, a man avows his principles or his crimes.
2. In law, to acknowledge and justify; as, when the distrainer of goods defends in an action of replevin, and avows the taking, but insists that such taking was legal. – Blackstone.