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

One of them held up an authoritative hand to the sumpter train which followed.

From The Great Mogul by Tracy, Louis

Independently of their convoy, they had a sumpter canoe in company, belonging to the Eboe people, from which the others were supplied with dressed provisions.

From Lander's Travels The Travels of Richard Lander into the Interior of Africa by Huish, Robert

"Pardon, my Prince," said I, "but all the apparel I have is upon my sumpter horse, which comes in the train of the Princess."

From Red Axe by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

We started, my uncouth guide sitting tailor-fashion on the sumpter mule, upon the baggage. 

From The Bible in Spain Vol. 1 [of 2] by Borrow, George Henry

Here richly-caparisoned horses were prancing, there sumpter mules laden with supplies, and decorated with ribbons and flowers, made their slow way onward.

From Historical Tales, Vol. 4 (of 15) The Romance of Reality by Morris, Charles