a medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.
Poultice \Poul"tice\, n. [L. puls, pl. pultes, a thick pap; akin to Gr. po`ltos. Cf. {Pulse} seeds.] A soft composition, as of bread, bran, or a mucilaginous substance, to be applied to sores, inflamed parts of the body, etc.; a cataplasm. ``Poultice relaxeth the pores.'' --Bacon.
Poultice \Poul"tice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poulticed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Poulticing}.] To apply a poultice to; to dress with a poultice.