Webster's English Dictionary

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cotter

1. cot.ter or cot.tar \'ka:t-*r\ n [ME cottar, fr. ML cotarius, fr. ME cot] 
   : a peasant or rural laborer occupying a cottage and sometimes a small hol 
   ding of land usu. in return for services
2. cotter n [origin unknown] : a wedge-shaped or tapered piece used to 
   fasten together parts of a struc ture