rutter

rutter · noun¹

1. Middle French · derived fromroutier“mercenary soldier”
2. Middle Dutch · derived fromruter
3. English todayrutter

From Middle Dutch ruter, rutter, variants of ruiter, from Middle French routier (“mercenary soldier”), corresponding to route + ier; see rout.

rutter · noun²

1. Middle French · derived fromroutier
2. English todayrutter

From Middle French routier, corresponding to route + -ier.

rutter · noun³

From rut + -er.

Rutter · proper noun⁴

1. Middle Dutch · derived fromruter“freebooter”
2. Old French · derived fromroutier“robber”
3. English todayRutter

* As an English surname, from rote (musical instrument), as well as from Old French routier (“robber”) * As a Dutch surname, from Middle Dutch ruter (“freebooter”), itself cognate with the Old French term. Also see Reuter.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. A horseman or cavalryman, especially a German one, associated with the wars of the 16th and 17th centuries.
• from 16th c. A set of instructions for navigating a course at sea; a pilot's book or seaman's guide.
• from 18th c. A tool used in peat cutting or for marking off ground.
• from 19th c. A type of plough used by lumberjacks to carve a track for a sleigh.