\Aus`cul*ta"tion\, n. [L. ausculcatio, fr.
auscultare to listen, fr. a dim. of auris, orig. ausis, ear.
See {Auricle}, and cf. {Scout}, n.]
1. The act of listening or hearkening to. --Hickes.

2. (Med.) An examination by listening either directly with
   the ear (immediate auscultation) applied to parts of the
   body, as the abdomen; or with the stethoscope (mediate
   auscultation), in order to distinguish sounds recognized
   as a sign of health or of disease.