noun
an infectious disease of rodents, esp. rabbits, caused by a bacterium (
Francisella tularensis) and transmitted to humans in handling the flesh of infected animals or by the bite of certain insects: it is characterized in humans by an irregular fever, aching, inflammation of the lymph glands, etc.
Origin:
ModL, after Tulare County, California (< Sp tulares, pl., regions overgrown with tules: see tule) + -emia