Pack″et (–ĕt), n. [F. paquet, dim. fr. LL. paccus, from the same source as E. pack. See Pack.]
1. A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel; as, a packet of letters. Shak.
2. Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed days of sailing; a mail boat.
Packet boat, ship, orvessel. See Packet, n., 2. — Packet day, the day for mailing letters to go by packet; or the sailing day. — Packet noteorpost. See under Paper.