The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avow \A*vow"\, n. [Cf. F. aveu.]
   Avowal. [Obs.] --Dryden.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avow \A*vow"\, v. t. & i. [OF. avouer, fr. LL. votare to vow,
   fr. L. votun. See Vote, n.]
   To bind, or to devote, by a vow. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avow \A*vow"\, n.
   A vow or determination. [Archaic]
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avow \A*vow"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Avowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
   Avowing.] [F. avouver, fr. L. advocare to call to (whence
   the meanings, to call upon as superior; recognize as lord,
   own, confess); ad + vocare to call. See Advocate,
   Avouch.]
   1. To declare openly, as something believed to be right; to
      own or acknowledge frankly; as, a man avows his principles
      or his crimes.
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            Which I to be the of Israel's God
            Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test. --Milton.
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   2. (Law) To acknowledge and justify, as an act done. See
      Avowry. --Blackstone.
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   Syn: To acknowledge; own; confess. See Confess.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

avow
    v 1: to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true; "Before
         God I swear I am innocent" [syn: affirm, verify,
         assert, avow, aver, swan, swear]
    2: admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about [syn: avow,
       avouch] [ant: disavow]