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

A sumpter horse or mule; beast of burden.

From The Bible in Spain - Vol. 2 [of 2] by Borrow, George Henry

Half a dozen sumpter horses were needed to carry the general's tent and equipage; his officers required a score more.

From My Lady Rotha A Romance by Weyman, Stanley J.

And behold he came upon a tall red horse, with the mane parted on each side, and he brought with him a large and beautiful sumpter pack. 

From The Mabinogion Vol. 1 by Edwards, Owen Morgan, Sir

All our gallant soldiers had made up their lances, fusils, sabres, bows and arrows, into bundles, which were packed upon their sumpter animals. 

From Travels in Tartary, Thibet, and China During the years 1844-5-6 Volume 2 by Huc, Évariste Régis

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 Kinney, Margaret West