byssinosis

noun

bys·​si·​no·​sis ˌbi-sə-ˈnō-səs 

plural byssinoses ˌbi-sə-ˈnō-ˌsēz 

: an occupational respiratory disease associated with inhalation of cotton, flax, or hemp dust and characterized initially by chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough and eventually by irreversible lung disease

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin byssinus of fine linen, from Greek byssinos, from byssos

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

byssinosis

noun

bys·​si·​no·​sis ˌbis-ə-ˈnō-səs 

plural byssinoses -ˌsēz 

: an occupational respiratory disease associated with inhalation of cotton, flax, or hemp dust and characterized initially by chest tightness, shortness of breath, and cough, and eventually by irreversible lung disease

called also brown lung, brown lung disease, mill fever