Hi Patricia, This is what I found for your "cotter house" question: Variant(s): or cot·ter /'kä-t&r/ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English cottar, from Medieval Latin cotarius, from Middle English cot Date: 14th century : a peasant or farm laborer who occupies a cottage and sometimes a small holding of land usually in return for services . Thus, Cotter House. Bill Taylor, Waterville, Maine, U.S.A.