English

Noun

burstenness ‎(uncountable)

1. (obsolete) A broken or bruised condition; brokenness; in the extract, a mass of bruises.
2. (obsolete, medicine) A rupture; a hernia.
   • 1814?, Nicholas Culpeper, ‎Parkins, The English Physician:

     The leaf bruised and laid to any green wound in the hands or legs, doth heal them quickly; and being bound to the throat, much helpeth the quinsy; it helpeth also ruptures and burstenness.

Related terms

• bursten
• burstness