%partlet%

n. [ Dim. of part. ] 1. A covering for the neck, and sometimes for the shoulders and breast; originally worn by both sexes, but later by women alone; a ruff. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A hen; -- so called from the ruffing of her neck feathers. “Dame Partlett, the hen.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]