gout

 
Pronunciation: /gaʊt/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] a disease in which defective metabolism of uric acid causes arthritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet, deposition of chalk-stones, and episodes of acute pain.
  • 2 literary a drop or spot of something: gouts of blood erupted from the wound

Derivatives

goutiness

noun

gouty

adjective (goutier, goutiest)

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French goute, from medieval Latin gutta, literally 'drop' (because gout was believed to be caused by the dropping of diseased matter from the blood into the joints)