Meaning

noun a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire

noun a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires

noun a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)

originFrom Middle English lightere, lyghtere, equivalent to light (“to unload, lighten”) + -er. Compare West Frisian lichter (“lighter ship”), Dutch lichter (“lighter ship”), Middle Low German lichter, lüchter, lüchtære (“a small ship that lightens a load, lighter ship”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0