Sc. Also fleat. [app. repr. ON. flétta plait, f. flétta = Ger. flechten to plait.] A mat of plaited straw placed on a pack-horse’s back to prevent chafing or galling.
1794. W. Sutherland, in Statist. Acc. Scotl., X. 23. They carry their victual in straw creels called cassies, made very compactly of long oat straw woven with small twisted ropes of rushes, and fixed over straw flets on the horses backs with a clubber and straw ropes.
1812. Capt. Henderson, Agric. Surv. Sutherland, V. § 5. 60. The horse being equipped with a fleat and clubbar on his back, the former a web made of straw, weaved with small ropes made of rushes.
