\Drought\, n. [OE. droght, drougth, dru??, AS. druga?,
from drugian to dry. See {Dry}, and cf. {Drouth}, which shows
the original final sound.]
1. Dryness; want of rain or of water; especially, such
   dryness of the weather as affects the earth, and prevents
   the growth of plants; aridity.

         The drought of March hath pierced to the root.
                                               --Chaucer.

         In a drought the thirsty creatures cry. --Dryden.

2. Thirst; want of drink. --Johnson.

3. Scarcity; lack.

         A drought of Christian writers caused a dearth of
         all history.                          --Fuller.