a disease of young horses caused by a bacterial infection (Streptococcus equi) and characterized by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and by the formation of abscesses in the adjacent lymph nodes
See strangles in American Heritage Dictionary 4
stran·gles
plural noun(used with a sing. verb)
An infectious disease of horses and related animals, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi and characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane and abscesses under the jaw and around the throat that cause a strangling or choking sensation.
Origin: From Middle English strangle, strangulation, from stranglen, to strangle; see strangle .