\Hy`dro*pho"bi*a\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; "y`dwr water +
? fear: cf. F. hydrophobie.] (Med.)
(a) An abnormal dread of water, said to be a symptom of
    canine madness; hence:
(b) The disease caused by a bite form, or inoculation with
    the saliva of, a rabid creature, of which the chief
    symptoms are, a sense of dryness and construction in the
    throat, causing difficulty in deglutition, and a marked
    heightening of reflex excitability, producing convulsions
    whenever the patient attempts to swallow, or is disturbed
    in any way, as by the sight or sound of water; rabies;
    canine madness. [Written also {hydrophoby}.]