[drought] also drouth n [ME, fr. OE drugath, fr. drugian to dry up; akin to OE dryge dry--more at dry] (bef. 12c) 1: a period of dryness esp. when prolonged that causes extensive damage to crops or prevents their successful growth
2: a prolonged or chronic shortage or lack of something expected or desired -- drought.i.ness n -- droughty adj