obs. imp. of Reave. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A raftsman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. ræfter; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Courtesy ] oft is sooner found in lowly sheds,
With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To make into rafters, as timber. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To furnish with rafters, as a house. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Agric.) To plow so as to turn the grass side of each furrow upon an unplowed ridge; to ridge. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]