Rafting

raft ¹  (rft)

n.

1. A flat structure, typically made of planks, logs, or barrels, that floats on water and is used for transport or as a platform for swimmers.

2. A flatbottom inflatable craft for floating or drifting on water: shooting the rapids in a rubber raft.

v. raft·ed, raft·ing, rafts

v.tr.

1. To convey on a raft.

2. To make into a raft.

v.intr.

To travel by raft.

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[Middle English, from Old Norse raptr, beam, rafter.]

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raft ²  (rft)

n. Informal

A great number, amount, or collection: "As the prairie dog goes, conservation biologists say, so may go a raft of other creatures" (William K. Stevens).

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[Alteration of dialectal raff, rubbish; see raffish.]