sumpter

American  

[suhmp-ter] / ˈsʌmp tər /

noun

1. a packhorse or mule.

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sumpter British  

/ ˈsʌmptə /

noun

1. archaic a packhorse, mule, or other beast of burden

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Etymology

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 summer ²) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sumpter

Chests were strapped on sumpter mules; chariots with pawing horses stood in the main courtyard, ready to be gone.

From Nicanor - Teller of Tales A Story of Roman Britain by Margaret West Kinney

The rest of us proceeded on foot, though we had no less than three sumpter beasts to carry our food, instruments, clothes, etc.

From The Chainbearer Or, The Littlepage Manuscripts by James Fenimore Cooper

But no; after another quarter of an hour's haggling they yielded the last point, and, laden like a sumpter mule, Bill took his triumphant departure.

From The Log of a Sea-Waif Being Recollections of the First Four Years of My Sea Life by Frank T. Bullen

But the hermit soberly journeyed toward Nottingham, the two men-at-arms, with the sumpter mule, riding in front.

From Robin Hood by N. C. (Newell Convers) Wyeth

I had fallen back behind the sumpter horses, and halted for a moment, when I felt a hand rest lightly on my stirrup.

From Orrain A Romance by S. Levett-Yeats