Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CARL, n. [Sax. carl, a male, whence Carolus, Charles. The word signifies primarily, strong, robust. Whence the English carl-cat, and carl-hemp; house-carl, a domestic servant; Ger. kerl, a fellow; kerl-haft, masculine, stout. See Churl.]

1. A rude, rustic, rough, brutal man. [Obs.] [See Churl.]
2. A kind of hemp. – Tusser.