Raft (?), obs.
imp. & p. p. of Reave.
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.
Raft, n. [Originally, a rafter, spar, and fr. Icel. raptr a rafter; akin to Dan. raft, Prov. G. raff a rafter, spar; cf. OHG. rafo, ravo, a beam, rafter, Icel. raf roof. Cf. Rafter, n.]
1.
A collection of logs, boards, pieces of timber, or the like, fastened, together, either for their own collective conveyance on the water, or to serve as a support in conveying other things; a float.
2.
A collection of logs, fallen trees, etc. (such as is formed in some Western rivers of the United States), which obstructs navigation.
[U.S.]
3. [Perhaps akin to raff a heap.]
A large collection of people or things taken indiscriminately.
[Slang, U. S.] "A whole
raft of folks."
W. D. Howells.
Raft bridge. (a) A bridge whose points of support are rafts. (b) A bridge that consists of floating timbers fastened together. -- Raft duck. [The name alludes to its swimming in dense flocks.] Zool. (a) The bluebill, or greater scaup duck; -- called also flock duck. See Scaup. (b) The redhead. -- Raft port Naut., a large, square port in a vessel's side for loading or unloading timber or other bulky articles; a timber or lumber port.
© Webster 1913.
Raft, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rafted; p. pr. & vb. n. Rafting.]
To transport on a raft, or in the form of a raft; to make into a raft; as, to raft timber.
© Webster 1913.