sumpter

[suhmp-ter]

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noun

a packhorse or mule.

Origin of sumpter

1275–1325; Middle English sompter < Old French sometier pack-horse driver < Vulgar Latin *saumatārius, equivalent to Latin sagmat- (stem of sagma; see summer²) + -ārius -ary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sumpter

Historical Examples of sumpter

"O, because she resembles a sister I lost," returned Sumpter after a brief hesitation.
Eventide
Effie Afton
If innocent, why did she not remain and boldly refute the tale Sumpter had told?
Eventide
Effie Afton
"He is in the office with Mr. Sumpter, I believe," was the reply.
Eventide
Effie Afton
On the preceding day, the post at Orangeburg had surrendered to Sumpter.
The Life of George Washington, Vol. 4 (of 5)
John Marshall
Sumpter was preceded by the legion, supported by the state cavalry.
The Life of George Washington, Vol. 4 (of 5)
John Marshall

British Dictionary definitions for sumpter

sumpter

noun

archaic a packhorse, mule, or other beast of burden

Word Origin for sumpter

C14: from Old French sometier driver of a baggage horse, from Vulgar Latin sagmatārius (unattested), from Late Latin sagma packsaddle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sumpter

early 14c., "driver of a pack horse," from Old French sommetier, from Vulgar Latin *sagmatarius "a pack horse driver," from Late Latin sagmat- "a pack, burden," stem of sagma "packsaddle," from Greek sagma, probably related to sattein "to pack, press, stuff." Used from mid-15c. of horses and mules for carrying loads.