lath

noun, plural laths [lath z, laths, lahth z, lahths] /læðz, læθs, lɑðz, lɑθs/.

1. a thin, narrow strip of wood, used with other strips to form latticework, a backing for plaster or stucco, a support for slates and other roofing materials, etc.
2. a group or quantity of such strips.
3. work consisting of such strips.
4. wire mesh or the like used in place of wooden laths as a backing for plasterwork.
5. a thin, narrow, flat piece of wood used for any purpose.

verb (used with object)

6. to cover or line with laths.

noun plural laths (lɑːðz, lɑːθs)

1. one of several thin narrow strips of wood used to provide a supporting framework for plaster, tiles, etc
2. expanded sheet metal, wire mesh, etc, used to provide backing for plaster or rendering
3. any thin strip of wood

verb

4. (tr) to attach laths to (a ceiling, roof, floor, etc)

n.late 13c., probably from Old English *læððe, variant of lætt “lath,” apparently from a Proto-Germanic *laþþo (cf. Old Saxon, Old Norse latta, Middle Dutch, German latte “lath,” Dutch lat, Middle High German lade “plank,” which is source of German Laden “counter,” hence, “shop”). As a verb, 1530s, from the noun.