a contagious skin disease of the tropics, characterized by patches of various colors and caused by a spirochete (Treponema carateum)
Origin:
AmSp < Sp, a spot < VL *pincta: see pint
See pinta in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A contagious skin disease prevalent in tropical America, caused by a spirochete (Treponema carateum) and marked by extreme thickening and spotty discoloration of the skin.