distemper

dis·tem·per

noun \dis-ˈtem-pər\

Definition of DISTEMPER

: a disordered or abnormal bodily state especially of quadruped mammals: as a : a highly contagious virus disease especially of dogs that is marked by fever, leukopenia, and respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms and that is caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus (species Canine distemper virus)—called also canine distemper b : strangles c : panleukopenia d : a severe frequently fatal infectious nasopharyngeal inflammation of rabbits