Er'got, n.

(14), n. [Fr. ergot, argot, spur, a disease of cereal grasses.]

1. A parasitic fungus, having a spur-like form, of narcotic and poisonous qualities, found in some grains, especially rye; — called also spurred rye. It is sometimes used as a means of hastening childbirth. Dunglison.
2. (Far.) A stub, like a piece of soft horn, about the bigness of a chestnut, situated behind and below the pastern-joint.