v. Obs. [f. L. fistulāt- ppl. stem of fistulāre, f. fistula: see FISTULA sb. and -ATE3.]
1. intr. (in Path.) To form or grow to a fistula.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 322. Haue an especiall regard, that the vpper part of the wound, heale not faster then the bottom, for feare of fistulating.
1663–76. Bullokar, Fistulate, to turn or grow to a Fistula.
2. trans. To make tubular.
1751. B. Holloway, in Student, II. 378. It [chalal] signifies, says this judicious divine,—to perforate or fistulate; to begin; to profane; to kill. Ibid., 378–9. Their tubes, pipes, or ducts fistulated, or hollowed, to circulate the blood and juices; whence the word for the fistulating or making of tubes became a root for beginnings in general.
Hence Fistulated ppl. a.; Fistulating vbl. sb. and ppl. a. Also Fistulation, the formation of a fistula.
1612. Woodall, The Surgeons Mate, Wks. (1653), 79. Flores Hyperici or flowers of Saint Johns wort, are hot and dry in the third degree, break the stone, provoke urine, bring down womens flowers, stop the laske, drive away fevers, are good for burnings, and cure old and fistulated sores.
1607. Markham, Cavelarice, vii. 64. If the tender grissell which is vpon the toppe of the shoulder blade, should either be crusht or tainted, there many times followeth cankerous sores and fistulating.
1638. A. Read, Chirurg., xxix. 213. By his wit and practice found out a way of curing, not only wounds tending to fistulation, but also as are de facto fistulat.
1656. Earl Monm., Advt. fr. Parnass., 312. Knowing that cankers, and fistulated wounds must be cured by fire and razor, he forthwith fell upon an extraordinary piece of rigor.
1659. Bp. Gauden, Slight Healings (1660), 2. The difficulty and danger of touching, though in order to heal the old sores and fistulating ulcers of this Church and State, which are now … inveterate dolors, obstinate evils and pertinacious maladies.
