rafter

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
rafter1

▶noun a beam forming part of the internal framework of a roof.

– derivatives
raftered adjective.

– origin OE ræfter, of Gmc origin; rel. to raft1.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
rafter2

▶noun

• 1 a traveller on a raft.

• 2 a person who fastens logs into a raft for transport by water.