Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GIRL, n. [gerl; The origin of this word is not obvious. It is most probably the Low L. gerula, a young woman employed to tend children; a word left in England by the Romans. It is said that the word was formerly used for both sexes; be it so; gerulus was also used for a chairman.]

1. A female child, or young woman. In familiar language, any young unmarried woman. Dryden.
2. Among sportsmen, a roebuck of two years old.