Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

M'etayer \M['e]`ta`yer"\ (F. ?; E. ?), n. [F., fr. LL.
   medietarius, fr. L. medius middle, half. See {Mid}, a.]
   One who cultivates land for a share (usually one half) of its
   yield, receiving stock, tools, and seed from the landlord.
   [France & Italy] --Milman.