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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

BUTMENT

n. 1. A buttress of an arch; the supporter, or that part which joins it to the upright pier.
2. The mass of stone or solid work at the end of a bridge, by which the extreme arches are sustained. The mass of stone at the end of a timber bridge, without arches, is called by the same name. It is written also abutment.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

BUTMENT

But "ment, n. Etym: [Abbreviation of Abutment. ]

1. (Arch. )

Defn: A buttress of an arch; the supporter, or that part which joins it to the upright pier.

Defn: The mass of stone or solid work at the end of a bridge, by which the extreme arches are sustained, or by which the end of a bridge without arches is supported. Butment cheek (Carp. ), the part of a mortised timber surrounding the mortise, and against which the shoulders of the tenon bear. Knight.