a tropical infectious disease caused by a spirochete (Treponema pertenue) and characterized by raspberrylike skin eruptions followed sometimes by destructive lesions of the skin and bones
Origin:
< a Carib language: cf. Galibi ïaïa
See yaws in American Heritage Dictionary 4
plural noun(used with a sing. or pl. verb)
A highly contagious tropical disease that chiefly affects children, caused by the spirochete Treponema pertenue and characterized by raspberrylike sores, especially on the hands, feet, and face. Also called frambesia.