RAFTER (2)

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. oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls. Milton.