dray

Etymology 1

From Middle English draye, dreye, from Old English dræġe (“dragnet”), from Proto-Germanic *dragǭ. Cognate with Middle Low German drāge (“stretcher; dray”), Middle High German trage (“a litter”). Related to Old English dragan (“to pull; draw”). More at draw.

noun

1. A low horse-drawn cart, often without sides, and used especially for heavy loads.
   Standing foursquare in the heart of the town, at the intersection of the two main streets, a “jog” at each street corner left around the market-house a little public square, which at this hour was well occupied by carts and wagons from the country and empty drays awaiting hire 1900, Charles W. Chesnutt, chapter I, in The House Behind the Cedars
   Let him be brought into the field of election upon his dray-cart. September 28 1710, Joseph Addison, Whig-Examiner
2. A kind of sledge or sled.

Etymology 2

Unknown.

noun

1. Alternative spelling of drey (“squirrel's nest”)