The Collaborative International Dictionary
Partlet \Part"let\, n. [Dim. of part.]
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.A hen; -- so called from the ruffing of her neck feathers. ``Dame Partlett, the hen.''
--Shak.
Wiktionary
Etymology 1 n. (context now rare archaic English) A hen (originally in the form '''Dame Partlet'''). (from 14th c.) Etymology 2
n. (context now historical or archaic English) A covering for the neck and upper chest, originally worn by both sexes, but later especially by women to cover a low neckline. (from 16th c.)
Usage examples of "partlet".
Moreover there be divers, that to the intent to shew their grace and feature, wil cast off their partlets, collars, habiliments, fronts, cornets and krippins, and doe more delight to shew the fairnesse of their skinne, than to deck themselves up in gold and pretious stones.