Por"ter (?), n. [F. portier, L. portarius, from porta a gate, door. See Port a gate.]
A man who has charge of a door or gate; a doorkeeper; one who waits at the door to receive messages.
Shak.
To him the porter openeth.
John x. 3.
© Webster 1913.
Por"ter, n. [F. porteur, fr. porter to carry, L. portare. See Port to carry.]
1.
A carrier; one who carries or conveys burdens, luggage, etc.; for hire.
2. Forging
A bar of iron or steel at the end of which a forging is made; esp., a long, large bar, to the end of which a heavy forging is attached, and by means of which the forging is lifted and handled is hammering and heating; -- called also porter bar.
3.
A malt liquor, of a dark color and moderately bitter taste, possessing tonic and intoxicating qualities.
⇒ Porter is said to be so called as having been first used chiefly by the London porters, and this application of the word is supposed to be not older than 1750.
© Webster 1913.