Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FUR'LOW, n. [D. verlof; G. urlaub; Dan. forlov or orlov; Sw. orlof; compounded of the root of fare, to go, and leave, permission. See Fare and Leave. The common orthography furlough is corrupt, as the last syllable exhibits false radical consonants. The true orthography is furlow.]

Leave of absence; a word used only in military affairs. Leave or license given by a commanding officer to an officer or soldier to be absent from service for a certain time.