Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FAM'ISH, v.i.

1. To die of hunger. More generally,
2. To suffer extreme hunger or thirst; to be exhausted in strength, or to come near to perish, for want of food or drink. You are all resolved rather to die, than to famish. Shak.
3. To be distressed with want; to come near to perish by destitution. The Lord will not suffer the righteous to famish. Prov. x.