from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Quartern \Quar"tern\, n. [OE. quarteroun, quartron, F.
quarteron, the fourth part of a pound, or of a hundred; cf.
L. quartarius a fourth part, quarter of any measure,
quartern, gill. See {Quarter}, and cf. {Quarteron},
{Quadroon}.]
1. A quarter. Specifically:
(a) The fourth part of a pint; a gill.
(b) The fourth part of a peck, or of a stone (14 ibs.).
[1913 Webster]
2. A loaf of bread weighing about four pounds; -- called also
{quartern loaf}. --Simmonds.
[1913 Webster]