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Webster 1913 Edition

Ergot

Er′got

,
Noun.
[F.
ergot
,
argot
, lit., a spur.]
1.
A diseased condition of rye and other cereals, in which the grains become black, and often spur-shaped. It is caused by a parasitic fungus,
Claviceps purpurea
.
2.
The mycelium or spawn of this fungus infecting grains of rye and wheat. It is a powerful remedial agent, and also a dangerous poison, and is used as a means of hastening childbirth, and to arrest bleeding.
3.
(Far.)
A stub, like soft horn, about the size of a chestnut, situated behind and below the pastern joint.
4.
(Anat.)
See 2d
Calcar
, 3
(b)
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Ergot

ERGOT

,
Noun.
In farriery, a stub, like a piece of soft horn, about the bigness of a chestnut, situated behind and below the pastern joint, and commonly hid under the tuft of the fetloc.
1.
A morbid excrescence in grain; a dark colored shoot, often an inch long, from the ears of grain, particularly of rye.

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