Raft"er (?), n.
A raftsman.
© Webster 1913.
Raft"er, n. [AS. raefter; akin to E. raft, n. See Raft.] Arch.
Originally, any rough and somewhat heavy piece of timber. Now, commonly, one of the timbers of a roof which are put on sloping, according to the inclination of the roof. See Illust. of Queen-post.
[Courtesy] oft is sooner found in lowly sheds,
With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.
Raft"er, v. t.
1.
To make into rafters, as timber.
2.
To furnish with rafters, as a house.
3. Agric.
To plow so as to turn the grass side of each furrow upon an unplowed ridge; to ridge.
[Eng.]
© Webster 1913.