sätter

Sätter is a Swedish word that can refer to several related concepts, primarily concerning land use, agriculture, and settlement patterns. In its most common usage, "sätter" denotes a small farm or croft, often distinguished from a larger estate or manor. These smaller holdings were historically crucial for the sustenance of peasant families, providing land for cultivation and housing. The term implies a degree of independence and self-sufficiency, though such farms were often part of a larger village community or estate.

The concept of "sätter" is closely linked to historical land division and inheritance practices in Sweden. As populations grew, land was subdivided, leading to the establishment of numerous smaller farmsteads. These "sätter" contributed to the rural landscape and economy, with their inhabitants often engaging in mixed farming, raising livestock, and growing crops.

In some contexts, "sätter" can also refer to the act of settling or establishing a farmstead. This might involve clearing land, building dwellings, and beginning agricultural activities. Therefore, the word carries connotations of both the established small farm and the process of creating one. The specific meaning can sometimes depend on regional dialects and historical periods within Sweden.