yaws

n.pl. (usu. Treated as sing.) Contagious tropical skin-disease with large red swellings. [origin unknown]

n. A disease, occurring in the Antilles and in Africa, characterized by yellowish or reddish tumors, of a contagious character, which, in shape and appearance, often resemble currants, strawberries, or raspberries. There are several varieties of this disease, variously known as framboesia, pian, verrugas, and crab-yaws.