Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cauter \Cau"ter\, n. [F. caut[`e]re, L. cauterium, fr. Gr. ? a
   branding iron, fr. ? to burn. Cf. {Caustic}, {Cautery}.]
   A hot iron for searing or cauterizing. --Minsheu.