Raft"er, 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.
[Courtesy] oft is sooner found in lowly sheds,
With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls.
Milton.Raft"er (rȧft"ẽr), n. A
raftsman.
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.]