ˈmət ə n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English motoun, from Old French moton, mouton ram, wether, agnel, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish molt wether, Middle Breton mout, Welsh mollt; probably akin to Latin molere to grind — more at meal
1.
a. : the flesh of a mature ovine animal when killed for food
b. : the dressed carcass of a sheep usually one year of age or older characterized by the dark red color of the flesh, whiteness of the fat, and hardness of the bone
2. : agnel
3. : the matter at hand : the central issue — usually used in plural
now I must get to my muttons and write — H.J.Laski