Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DAR'RAIN, v.t. [Norm. dareigner, derener, dereigner, deraigner, to prove, to testify, to clear himself, to institute; noun, darrein, or derene, or d'reigne, proof; also, derreiner, to endeavor. In Chaucer, the word is interpreted to contest. But for thou art a worthy gentil knight, / And wilnest to darraine hire by bataille. The word is probably compound. But neither the origin nor the signification is obvious.]

To prepare, or to order; or to try; to endeavor; to prove; to apply to the contest. [Obs.] – Carew. Spenser. Shak.