Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LOTH, a. [Sax. lath, Sw. led, Dan. leede, odious, hated. The common orthography is loath, pronounced with o long but both the orthography and pronunciation are corrupt. This word follows the analogy of cloth, Sax. clath. I have followed Milton, Dryden, Waller, Spenser, and Shakspeare, in the orthography of the adjective, and Cruden in that of the verb. The primary sense is to thrust, to turn or drive away. See the verb, and Class Ld, No. 9, 15.]

1. Literally, hating, detesting; hence,
2. Unwilling; disliking; not inclined; reluctant. Long doth he stay, as loth to leave the land. – Davies. To pardon willing, and to punish loth. – Walter.