[f. FRET v.4 + -ER1.] A branch that rubs.
1615. W. Lawson, Orch. & Gard., III. xi. (1668), 38. Fretters are, when as by negligence of the Gardner, two or more parts of the tree, or of divers trees, as arms, boughs, branches, or twigs, grow so near and close together, that one of them by rubbing doth wound one another.
1664. Evelyn, Sylva (1776), 472. This is of great importance; and so is the sedulous taking away of suckers, water-boughs, fretters, &c.
1670. J. Smith, England’s Improv. Reviv’d, 72. A third sort are fretters, which are boughs, Arms, or branches growing so near together, that when the wind bloweth, they by their rubbing against each other wound their fellows, making galls, and breeding cankers, that in a short time will be incurable and indanger the whole tree.
