Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HAM'PER, n. [contracted from hanaper, or from hand pannier.]

1. A large basket for conveying things to market, &c.
2. Fetters, or some instrument that shackles. W. Browne. [This signification and that of the verb following indicate that this word is from hanaper, and that the latter is from the sense of interweaving twigs.]