Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HER'RING, n. [Sax. hæring; Fr. hareng; Arm. harincq; G. hering; D. haring; It. aringa; Sp. arenque; Port. id.]

A fish of the genus Clupea. Herrings, when they migrate, move in vast shoals, and it is said that the name is formed from the Teutonic here, heer, an army or multitude. They come from high northern latitudes in the spring, and visit the shores of Europe and America, where they are taken and salted in great quantities.