n. & v.
—n.
1 a flat floating structure of timber or other materials for conveying persons or things.
2 a lifeboat or small (often inflatable) boat, esp. for use in emergencies.
3 a floating accumulation of trees, ice, etc.
—v.
1 tr. transport as or on a raft.
2 tr. cross (water) on a raft.
3 tr. form into a raft.
4 intr. (often foll. by across) work a raft (across water etc.).
Etymology: ME f. ON raptr RAFTER
2.
n. colloq.
1 a large collection.
2 (foll. by of) a crowd.
Etymology: raff rubbish, perh. of Scand. orig.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.