\Pas"tern\, n. [Of. pasturon, F. p[^a]turon, fr. OF.
pasture a tether, for beasts while pasturing; prop., a
pasturing. See {Pasture}.]
1. The part of the foot of the horse, and allied animals,
   between the fetlock and the coffin joint. See Illust. of
   {Horse}.
Note: The upper bone, or phalanx, of the foot is called the
      {great pastern bone}; the second, the {small pastern
      bone}; and the third, in the hoof, the {coffin bone}.
{Pastern joint}, the joint in the hoof of the horse, and
   allied animals, between the great and small pastern bones.
2. A shackle for horses while pasturing. --Knight.
3. A patten. [Obs.] --Dryden.