n. 1 a an unqualified practiser of medicine. b (attrib.) of or characteristic of unskilled medical practice ( quack cure). 2 a charlatan. 3 sl. any doctor or medical officer. quackery n. quackish adj.
[ abbr. of quacksalver f. Du. (prob. f. obs. quacken prattle + salf SALVE(1)) ]