An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A flat structure made up of a collection of logs or planks fastened together for floating or transportation on water.

Etymology (EN): M.E. rafte, rafter, from O.N. raptr “log.”

Etymology (PE): Sal “raft,” probably related to PIE base *sel-, *swel- “beam, board,” cf. Gk. selma “beam;” O.E. syll “beam, large timber,” O.N. svill “framework of a building,” M.L.G. sull, O.H.G. swelli, Ger. Schwelle “sill,” and also akin to Mid.Pers. sard “ladder,” Pers. dialectal variants (Lârestâni) se, si “ladder,” (Gilaki, Tâleqâni) sardi, (Qazvini) sorda, (Hamedâni) serda, (Kâšâni) sart, sârda, serde, and others all meaning “ladder.”