dial. Also 7 laiter, 8 Sc. lachter, 8–9 lafter, 5 dial. latter, lawter. [a. ON. *lahtr, láttr:—OTeut. *lahtrom, f. *lag-, root of LAY v.] The whole number of eggs laid by a fowl before she is rendy to sit.

1

1601.  Holland, Pliny, I. 298. Pullets lay more than old hennes, but they be lesse, especially the first and last of one laiter.

2

1703.  Thoresby, Lett. to Ray, s.v. (E.D.S.), A hen lays her laughter; that is, all the eggs she will lay that time.

3

1787.  Grose, Prov. Gloss., Lafter [printed Laster] or Lawter, thirteen eggs to set a hen.

4

1790.  Morison, Poems, 68. Her [sc. a goose] lachter’s laid with which she’s set.

5

a. 1825.  Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Latter.

6

1869.  Lonsdale Gloss., Lafter, the number of eggs laid by a hen before she begins to wish to sit.

7