vesicant

adjective

1. producing a blister or blisters, as a medicinal substance; vesicating.

noun

2. a vesicant agent or substance.
3. (in chemical warfare) a chemical agent that causes burns and destruction of tissue both internally and externally.

noun plural -cants or -catories

1. any substance that causes blisters, used in medicine and in chemical warfare

adjective

2. acting as a vesicant

n.

1660s, from Medieval Latin vesicantem (nominative vesicans), present participle of vesicare, from vesica “a bladder, a blister” (see ventral). From 1826 as an adjective.

n.

1. A blistering agent, especially mustard gas, used in chemical warfare.

adj.

1. Causing blisters.