Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPREW, n. [D. spreeuw or spreuuw, the disease called thrush.]

A disease of the mucous membrane, consisting in a specific inflammation of the muciparous glands, with an elevation of the epithelium in round, oval, or irregular, whitish or ash colored vesicles. It is confined to the mouth and alimentary canal, and terminates in curd-like sloughs.