Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WAD, n. [G. watte; Dan. vat, a wad; that is, a mass or collection.]

1. A little mass of some soft or flexible material, such as hay, straw, tow, paper, or old rope-yarn, used for stopping the charge of powder in a gun and pressing it close to the shot, or for keeping the powder and shot close.
2. A little mass, tuft or bundle, as of hay or tow.