sumpter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an animal (such as a mule or burro or horse) used to carry loads
    pack animal.

WordNet

Sump"ter noun
Etymology
OF. sommetier the driver of a pack horse; akin to OF. & F. sommier a pack horse, L. sagmarius, fr. sagma a pack saddle, in LL., a load, Gr. a pack saddle, fr. to pack, load; cf. Skr. saj, sañj, to hang on. Cf. Seam a weight, Summer a beam.
Definitions
  1. The driver of a pack horse. Obs. Skeat.
  2. A pack; a burden. Obs. Beau. & Fl.
  3. An animal, especially a horse, that carries packs or burdens; a baggage horse. Holinshed.
Sump"ter adjective
Definitions
  1. Carrying pack or burdens on the back; as, a sumpter horse; a sumpter mule. Bacon.

Webster 1913