RAFTER Meaning of RAFTER in English 1. n. each of the sloping beams forming the framework of a roof. Derivatives: raftered adj. Etymology: OE r{aelig}fter, rel. to RAFT(1) 2. n.1 a person who rafts timber. 2 a person who travels by raft. Oxford English vocab. Оксфордский английский словарь. 2012