Obs. [ad. L. crepātūra fissure, crack, f. crepāre to crack, creak: see -URE.]
1. Med. a. A rupture, hernia; b. A wound, crack or chap in the skin.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 170. After þe tyme þat þe wounde were souded þere wolde leve a crepature. Ibid., 292. Cure cancris & festris & al maner crepaturis.
1582. Hester, Secr. Phiorav., II. xxi. 100. To helpe the crepature or chappes make this Unguent.
2. (See quots. App. some error.)
[1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Crepatura (Lat.), a Term used by Apothecaries, for the boiling of Barley or any other thing ’till it crack.]
1721. Bailey, Crepature (in Physick) is when any thing is boiled till it cracks.
