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.