I. ˈla-thər noun
Etymology: Middle English * lather, from Old English lēathor; akin to Latin lavere to wash — more at lye
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a foam or froth formed when a detergent (as soap) is agitated in water
b. : foam or froth from profuse sweating (as on a horse)
2. : an agitated or overwrought state : dither
worked himself into a lather
• lath·ery -th(ə-)rē adjective
II. verb
( lath·ered ; lath·er·ing -th(ə-)riŋ)
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to spread lather over
2. : to beat severely : flog
intransitive verb
: to form a lather or a froth like lather
• lath·er·er -thər-ər noun