[car.bun.cle] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L carbunculus small coal, carbuncle, dim. of carbon-, carbo charcoal, ember] (13c) 1 a obs: any of several red precious stones b: the garnet cut cabochon
2: a painful local purulent inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues with multiple openings for the discharge of pus and usu. necrosis and sloughing of dead tissue -- car.bun.cled adj -- car.bun.cu.lar adj