[ad. L. verminātiōn-, verminātio, n. of action f. vermināre: see prec. Cf. obs. F. vermination.]
† 1. The fact or condition of being gnawn by worms; vermiculation. Obs. rare.
1628. Donne, Serm., liv. (1640), 542. Against this vermination, (as the originall denotes) against this gnawing of the worme, that may bore through and sink the strongest vessell that sailes in the sea of this world, there is no other varnish.
2. The breeding, growth or production of vermin, esp. parasitic vermin. Also fig. ? Obs.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, II. lxxxiv. 241. A Mouth, nasty with offensive fumes, till it sicken the Braine with giddy verminations.
1665. Needham, Med. Medicinæ, 203. This … may serve to give some light, how much Diseases are altered from their old state in reference to Vermination.
1699. R. Burthogge, Soul of World, 37. The Vermination in Human (as well as other Animal) Bodies, of which there are innumerable Instances in Medical Writers.
1713. Derham, Phys.-Theol., VI. vi. 414. Seigneur Redi … tryed more Experiments relating to the Vermination of Serpents, Flesh, Fish, putrified Vegetables,… than any one hath done since.
† 3. (See quot.) Obs.–0
1656. Blount, Glossogr. (copying Cooper), Vermination,… a disease with worms, properly in Cattle, a vehement ache by the wringing of the Guts, as if they were gnawn with worms.
4. The fact of being infested with parasitic vermin; esp. Med., the morbid condition due to this.
1818–20. E. Thompson, Cullen’s Nosol. Method. (ed. 3), 318. 76 Parasitismus.… Vermination.
1822–7. Good, Study Med. (1829), V. 656. Cutaneous Vermination. Ibid., 657. Generally speaking, vermination is a proof of weakness, whether in animals or in plants.
1836. J. M. Gully, Magendie’s Formul. (ed. 2), 91. His success was particularly great in the vermination of children.
