Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LICK, n. [W. llaç, a lick, a slap, a ray, a blade; llaçiaw, to lick, to shoot out, to throw or lay about, to cudgel. Qu. the root of flog and slay, to strike. See Ar. لَكَّ to strike. Class Lg. No. 14.]

1. A blow; a stroke. [Not an elegant word.]
2. A wash; something rubbed on. [Not in use.]