Echinococcus

Origin

From Ancient Greek ἐχῖνος ("hedgehog") + coccus

Full definition of echinococcus

Noun

1. (zoology) A parasite of humans and of many domestic and wild animals, the larval stage of Taenia echinococcus, that forms compound cysts or tumours (called hydatid cysts) in various organs, but especially in the liver and lungs.