Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BAY, n.³ [Goth. beidan, to expect; It. bada; “tenere a bada,” to keep at bay; “star a bada,” to stand trifling; badare, to stand trifling; to amuse one's self, to take care, to watch, to covet; abbadare, to mind; Fr. bayer, to gape or stand gaping. Qu. aboyer.]

A state of expectation, watching or looking for; as, to keep a man at bay. So a stag at bay, is when he turns his head against the dogs. Whence abeyance, in law, or a state of expectancy.