Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CREEK, n. [krik; Sax. crecea; kreek; Fr. crique; W. crig, a crack; crigyll, a creek; rhig, a notch or groove. See Crack.]

1. A small inlet, bay or cove; a recess in the shore of the sea, or of a river. They discovered a certain creek with a shore. – Acts xxvii.
2. Any turn or winding. – Shak.
3. A prominence or jut in a winding coast. – Davies. [This sense is probably not legitimate.]
4. In some of the American States, a small river. This sense is not justified by etymology; but as streams often enter into creeks and small bays, or form them, the name has been extended to small streams in general.