Etymology Late Middle English, from Old French barater.
1
Usually An exchange of goods or services without the use of money.
We had no money so we had to live by barter.
Speculations in trade are not confined to the counter or to the counting-house. Lady Anne's fair hair and white teeth were as much objects of barter as any of the shawls or ribbons displayed in Bond Street. They were to be had in exchange for a suit of diamonds and an opera-box.1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter I, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 11:
2
Usually The goods or services used in such an exchange.
The man used his watch as barter to pay for his tab.