[raft] n [ME rafte rafter, raft, fr. ON raptr rafter] (15c) 1 a: a collection of logs or timber fastened together for conveyance by water b: a flat structure for support or transportation on water
2: a floating cohesive mass
3: an aggregation of animals (as waterfowl) resting on the water
[2]raft vt (1706) 1: to transport in the form of or by means of a raft; also: to convey (as pebbles) in floating ice or masses of organic material
2: to make into a raft ~ vi: to travel by raft [3]raft n [alter. of raff jumble] (1830): a large collection or number