bot ‧ u ‧ lis ‧ m /ˈbɒtʃəlɪz ə m, ˈbɒtʃʊlɪz ə m $ ˈbɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: German ; Origin: botulismus , from Latin botulus 'sausage' ; because the bacteria were first found in sausages and other cooked meats ]
serious food poisoning caused by ↑ bacteria in preserved meat and vegetables