Emily Dickinson Lexicon

A-GIST', v.t. [If the primary sense is to lie, or to rest, this is from Fr. gesir; Norm. agiser, to be levant and couchant, from giser, to lay or throw down; whence gist, cast; gistance, a casting. Class Gs. No. 18. If the primary signification is to feed, see Nos. 5, 6, 10, 12, and 56. Ch. Class Gs.]

In law, to take the cattle of others to graze at a certain sum; to feed or pasture the cattle of others; used originally for the feeding of cattle in the king's forests. – Cowel. Blackstone.