Definition of "ergotism"

ergotism¹

noun
countable and uncountable, plural ergotisms
1. The plant disease caused by ergot.
2. The effect of long-term ergot poisoning, traditionally due to the ingestion of the alkaloids produced by the fungus Claviceps purpurea which infects rye and other cereals, and more recently by the action of a number of ergoline-based drugs, consisting of convulsive and gangrenous symptoms.
3. The use of ergot-infested grain to poison animals.

ergotism²

noun
plural ergotisms
1. A logical deduction.
  Quotations
  States are not governed by Ergotisms. Many have Ruled will who could not perhaps define a Commonwealth […]
  c. 1670s (date written), Thomas Brown [i.e., Thomas Browne], “(please specify the section)”, in John Jeffery, editor, Christian Morals, […], Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] [A]t the University-Press, for Cornelius Crownfield printer to the University; and are to be sold by Mr. Knapton […]; and Mr. [John] Morphew […], published 1716