NOUN (3)

1. one bound by vows to a religion or life of worship or service;
- Example: "monasteries of votaries"

2. a priest or priestess (or consecrated worshipper) in a non-Christian religion or cult;
- Example: "a votary of Aphrodite"

3. a devoted (almost religiously so) adherent of a cause or person or activity;
- Example: "the cultured votary of science"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Votary \Vo"ta*ry\, a. [From L. votus, p. p. vovere to vow, to
   devote. See Vote, Vow.]
   Consecrated by a vow or promise; consequent on a vow;
   devoted; promised.
   [1913 Webster]

         Votary resolution is made equipollent to custom.
                                                  --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Votary \Vo"ta*ry\, n.; pl. Votaries.
   One devoted, consecrated, or engaged by a vow or promise;
   hence, especially, one devoted, given, or addicted, to some
   particular service, worship, study, or state of life. "You
   are already love's firm votary." --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

         'T was coldness of the votary, not the prayer, that was
         in fault.                                --Bp. Fell.
   [1913 Webster]

         But thou, my votary, weepest thou?       --Emerson.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

votary
    n 1: one bound by vows to a religion or life of worship or
         service; "monasteries of votaries"
    2: a priest or priestess (or consecrated worshipper) in a non-
       Christian religion or cult; "a votary of Aphrodite"
    3: a devoted (almost religiously so) adherent of a cause or
       person or activity; "the cultured votary of science"