1. straps and other parts by which a draft animal is attached to a vehicle. place a harness on a draft animal; control, rein, utilize, channel. harnessharness , n. [oe. harneis, harnes, of. harneis, f. harnais, harnois; of celtic origin; cf. armor. harnez old iron, armor, w. haiarn iron, armor. houarn, ir. iarann, gael. iarunn. gf. iron.]