cantharidin
/kænˈθɛrɪdɪn/
noun
- A poisonous chemical substance produced by certain beetles, used historically in medicine and as a skin irritant.
- Scientists study cantharidin because of its strong effects on living tissue.
- Cantharidin is found in the bodies of blister beetles and can cause painful blisters on the skin.
- In the past, cantharidin was sometimes used in small amounts to treat warts.