partlet

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Partlet \Part"let\, n. [Dim. of part.]
   1. A covering for the neck, and sometimes for the shoulders
      and breast; originally worn by both sexes, but later by
      women alone; a ruff. [Obs.] --Fuller.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A hen; -- so called from the ruffing of her neck feathers.
      "Dame Partlett, the hen." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]