rinderpest

 
Pronunciation: /ˈrɪndəpɛst/

noun

[mass noun] Veterinary Medicine
  • an infectious disease of ruminants, especially cattle, caused by a paramyxovirus. It is characterized by fever, dysentery, and inflammation of the mucous membranes. Also called cattle plague.

Phrases

before (or since) the rinderpest

South African a long time ago (or for a very long time): some of us still remember that time before the rinderpest
[referring to the 1896 epidemic, treated as a landmark]

Origin:

mid 19th century: from German, from Rinder 'cattle' + Pest 'plague'