Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RUNT, n. [In D. rund is a bull or cow; in Scot. runt is the trunk of a tree, a hardened stem or stalk of a plant, an old withered woman. It may be from D. runnen, to contract. See Runnet.]

Any animal small below the natural or usual size of the species. Of tame pigeons are croppers, carriers and runts. Walton.