Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WHARF, n. [hworf; Sax. hwarf, hweorf; D. werf; Dan. verf; Russ. vorph. In D. werven signifies to raise or levy. In the plural, Wharfs and Wharves are both used.]

A perpendicular bank or mound of timber or stone and earth, raised on the shore of a harbor, or extending some distance into the water, for the convenience of lading and unlading ships and other vessels. This name is also given to the wider part of a canal, where boats lie while loading and unloading. The two longest wharfs in New England, are at Boston and at New Haven. The latter is much the longest, extending into the harbor about three quarters of a mile.