Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IN-CUR'SION, n. [Fr. incursion; L. incursio, from incurro. See Incur.]

1. Literally, a running into; hence, an entering into a territory with hostile intention; an inroad; applied to the expeditions of small parties or detachments of an enemy's army, entering a territory for attack, plunder or destruction of a post or magazine. Hence it differs from invasion, which is the hostile entrance of an army for conquest. During the revolution, the British troops made an incursion to Danbury, and destroyed the magazines. In opposing this incursion, Gen. Wooster was killed.
2. Attack; occurrence; as, sins of daily incursion. [Unusual.] South.