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