Definition of: ergot

(ûr′gət) noun
1. A fungus (Claviceps purpurea) that sometimes takes the place of the grain in rye and other grasses; it yields several alkaloids which are used medicinally in parturition.
2. The disease of rye and other cereal grasses caused by this growth.
3. The dried sclerotia of rye ergot, used in medicine to contract muscle fibers, especially those of the uterus, in order to check hemorrhage. [<F <OF argot spur of a cock]
—er′got·ed adjective