Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CUS'TO-DY, n. [L. custodia; It. and Sp. id.; from L. custos, a watchman, a keeper. This word has the elements of castle, W. cas, the primary sense of which is to separate, hence, to defend, to hold. See Chaste.]

1. A keeping; a guarding; care, watch, inspection, for keeping, preservation, or security. The prisoner was committed to the custody of the sherif. Under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle. – Numb. iii. Hence,
2. Imprisonment; confinement; restraint of liberty.
3. Defense from a foe; preservation; security. There was prepared a fleet of thirty ships for the custody of the narrow seas. – Bacon.