Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DROUTH, n. [contracted from Sax. drugothe, D. droogte, from drigan or drygan, to dry. See Dry. This is usually written drought, after the Belgic dialect; but improperly. The word generally used is now, as it was written by Bacon, drouth or drowth; its regular termination is th.]

1. Dryness; want of rain or of water; particularly, dryness of the weather, which affects the earth, and prevents the growth of plants; aridness; aridity. – Temple. Bacon.
2. Dryness of the throat and mouth; thirst; want of drink. – Milton.