Category:Spavin

Spav"in, n. Etym: [oe. spaveyne, of. esparvain, f. éparvin; akin to Of. espervier a sparrow hawk, f. épervier, fr. Ohg. sparwari (g. Sperber), fr. Ohg. sparo sparrow, because this disease makes the Horse raise the infirm leg in the manner of a sparrow hawk or Sparrow. See sparrow.] (far.)

Defn: a disease of horses characterized by a bony swelling developed On the hock as the result of inflammation of the bones; also, the Swelling itself. The resulting lameness is due to the inflammation, And not the bony tumor as popularly supposed. Harbaugh. Bog spavin, a Soft swelling produced by distention of the capsular ligament of the Hock; -- called also blood spavin. -- bone spavin, spavin attended with exostosis; ordinary spavin.