ergotism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun poisoning by ingestion of ergot-infected grain products; characterized by thirst and diarrhea and nausea and cramping and vomiting and abnormal cardiac rhythms; in severe cases it can cause seizures and gangrene of the limbs

WordNet

Er"go*tism noun
Etymology
F. ergotisme, fr. L. ergo.
Definitions
  1. A logical deduction. Obs. Sir T. Browne.
Er"got*ism noun
Etymology
From Ergot, n.; cf. F. ergotisme.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) A diseased condition produced by eating rye affected with the ergot fungus.

Webster 1913