gaiter

American  

[gey-ter] / ˈgeɪ tər /

noun

1. a covering of cloth or leather for the ankle and instep and sometimes also the lower leg, worn over the shoe or boot.

2. a cloth or leather shoe with elastic insertions at the sides.

3. an overshoe with a fabric top.

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gaiter British  

/ ˈɡeɪtə /

noun

1. a cloth or leather covering for the leg or ankle buttoned on one side and usually strapped under the foot

2. Also called: spat.  a similar covering extending from the ankle to the instep

3. a waterproof covering for the ankle worn by climbers and walkers to prevent snow, mud, or gravel entering over the top of the boot

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Other Word Forms

• gaiterless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of gaiter

1765–75; < French guêtre, Middle French guiestre, guestre, perhaps < Frankish *wrist, cognate with German Rist ankle, wrist. See wrist