From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpoulticepoul‧tice /ˈpəʊltɪs $ ˈpoʊl-/ noun [countable] MHsomething that is put on someone’s skin to make it less swollen or painful, often made of a wet cloth with milk, herbs, or clay on it
Examples from the Corpus
poultice• He applied cold poultices to the sufferer's forehead, which sent him into a coma.• Fear spread cold over her body, like a dead poultice.• A disposable nappy is an excellent cover over foot poultices and retains heat.• The solid uncooperative bundle was surprisingly heavy; it was like trying to manoeuvre a firm and rather smelly poultice.• Kenny the houseboy arrived with the poultice makings, but one look at me convinced him it was useless.• He decided on a brutal vinegar poultice.Origin poultice (1300-1400) Medieval Latin pultes “soft material”, from Latin puls “porridge” 