pastern

pas·tern

noun \ˈpas-tərn\

Definition of PASTERN

1

: a part of the foot of an equine extending from the fetlock to the top of the hoof — see horse illustration

2

: a part of the leg of an animal other than an equine that corresponds to the pastern

Origin of PASTERN

Middle French pasturon, from pasture pastern, from Old French empasturer to hobble (a horse), from pasture tether, modification of Late Latin (chorda) pastoria, from Latin, feminine of pastorius of a herdsman, from pastor herdsman — more at pastor

First Known Use: circa 1530