Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SLEDGE, n. [Sax. slecge, slege; D. sley; Dan. slegge; Sw. slägga; from the root of slay, to strike.]

1. A large, heavy hammer; used chiefly by ironsmiths.
2. In England, a sled; a vehicle moved on runners or on low wheels. In this sense, the word is not used in America; but the same word is used in a somewhat different sense, and written sleigh.