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botulism definition

botu·lism (bäc̸h′ə liz′əm)

noun

poisoning resulting from the toxin produced by botulinus bacteria, sometimes found in foods improperly canned or preserved: characterized by muscular paralysis and disturbances of vision and breathing, and often fatal

Etymology: Ger botulismus < L botulus, sausage (see bowel) + -ismus, -ism: so named from Ger cases involving sausages

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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