I. ˈraft noun
Etymology: Middle English rafte rafter, raft, from Old Norse raptr rafter
Date: 15th century
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
II. verb
Date: 1706
transitive verb
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
intransitive verb
: to travel by raft
III. noun
Etymology: alteration of raff jumble
Date: 1830
: a large collection or number