latch
n. countablen. a small metal or plastic bar that holds a door or gate closed. You lift it or turn it to open the door.
n. a mechanical fastener consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch or slot to secure a door, gate, or window.
He lifted the latch and walked into the garden.
The old wooden gate wouldn't stay shut because the latch was rusty and stuck in the open position.
Security experts recommend installing a deadbolt in addition to a standard door latch, as simple spring-loaded mechanisms are relatively easy to bypass with basic tools.
From Middle English lacchen (“to seize, catch, grasp”, verb), from Old English læċċan (“to grasp, take hold of, catch, seize”), from Proto-Germanic lakjaną, lakwijaną, lakkijaną (“to seize”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)leh₂g-, *(s)leh₂gʷ- (“to take, seize”). Cognate with Middle Dutch lakken (“to grasp, catch”).
From Middle English latche, lacche (“a latch; a trap”), from lacchen (“to seize, catch, grasp”), from Old English læċċan (“to grasp, take hold of, catch, seize”). See above for more.
Compare French lécher (“to lick”).
Often used with the verbs 'lift', 'click', or 'engage'.