Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TOAST, v.t. [Sp. and Port. tostar, to toast or roast. Qu. are these from the L. tostus?]

1. To dry and scorch by the heat of a fire; as, to toast bread or cheese. [It is chiefly limited in its application to these two articles.]
2. To warm thoroughly; as, to toast the feet. [Not much used.]
3. To name when a health is drank; to drink to the health in honor of; as, to toast a lady. Addison writes “to wish the health;” a form of expression I believe not now used.