sprue2
Pronunciation: /spruː/
noun
- disease of the small intestine causing malabsorption of food, in particular:
- (also tropical sprue) a disease characterized by ulceration of the mouth and chronic enteritis, suffered by visitors to tropical regions from temperate countries.
- (also non-tropical sprue)another term for coeliac disease.
Origin:
late 19th century: from Dutch spruw 'thrush'; perhaps related to Flemish spruwen 'sprinkle'