halter

noun

1. A bitless headpiece of rope or straps, placed on the head of animals such as cattle or horses to lead or tie them.
2. A rope with a noose, for hanging criminals; the gallows rope.

   “And Crates said, that love was cured with hunger, if not by time; and in him that liked not these two meanes, by the halter [translating hart].”

   ““[…]No rogue e’er felt the halter draw, with a good opinion of the law, and perhaps my own detestation of the law arises from my having frequently broken it.[…].””

3. A halter top.
4. One who halts or limps; a cripple.
5. (alt-of, alternative)Alternative form of haltere.

verb

1. (transitive)To place a halter on.

   “What do you mean, you didn't halter the horses when we stopped for the night?”

   “The two Indians were finished with their own saddling, the camp gear was packed, and already the extra saddle horses and their one packhorse' were haltered so they could be led back to the ranch.”