serpiginous

adjective

ser·​pig·​i·​nous (ˌ)sər-ˈpi-jə-nəs 

: creeping, spreading

especially : healing over in one portion while continuing to advance in another

serpiginous ulcers

serpiginously adverb

Word History

Etymology

Middle English serpiginose, from Medieval Latin serpiginosus, from serpigin-, serpigo creeping skin disease, from Latin serpere to creep

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

serpiginous

adjective

ser·​pig·​i·​nous (ˌ)sər-ˈpij-ə-nəs 

: slowly spreading

especially : healing over in one portion while continuing to advance in another

serpiginous ulcer