Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAS'SOC, n. [W. hesor. Qu. from hêsg, sedge, rushes. It signifies in Scottish, a besom, any thing bushy, and a turf of peat moss used as a seat. The sense is therefore the same as that of mat, a collection or mass.]

A thick mat or bass on which persons kneel in church. Addison. And knees and hassocs are well nigh divorced, Cowper.