arrastra

1 of 2

noun (1)

ar·​ras·​tra
əˈrästrə
variants or arrastre
-ˌstrā
 or arastra
əˈrästrə
plural -s
: a rude drag-stone mill for pulverizing ores (such as those containing free gold)

arrastre

2 of 2

noun (2)

ar·​ras·​tre
əˈräˌstrā
plural -s
1
Philippines : the operation of receiving, conveying, and loading or unloading merchandise on piers or wharves
2
[Spanish, literally, dragging] : the act or process of dragging a dead bull from the ring after a bullfight

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

modification of Mexican Spanish arrastre, from Spanish, haulage, dragging, from arrastrar to drag, from a- (from Latin ad-) + rastrar to drag, from rastro rake, harrow, from Latin rastrum rake

Noun (2)

Philippine Spanish, from Spanish, haulage, dragging

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arrasene
arrastra
arrastre
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Cite this Entry

“Arrastra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrastra. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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