1. n.1 a a person employed to carry luggage etc., esp. a railway, airport, or hotel employee. b a hospital employee who moves equipment, trolleys, etc.
2 a dark-brown bitter beer brewed from charred or browned malt (app. orig. made esp. for porters).
3 US a sleeping-car attendant.
Derivatives:
porterage n.
Etymology: ME f. OF port(e)our f. med.L portator -oris f. portare carry 2. n. Brit. a gatekeeper or doorkeeper, esp. of a large building.
Etymology: ME & AF, OF portier f. LL portarius f. porta door