Relating to or affected by catarrh, a condition where mucus builds up in the nose and throat causing inflammation and discharge.
From Greek 'kata' (down) + 'rhein' (to flow), literally meaning 'flowing down.' The term 'catarrhous' is the adjectival form of catarrh, a medical condition recognized since ancient times.
Before we had modern medicine, doctors didn't understand viruses and bacteria—they thought diseases were caused by imbalances of bodily fluids, so 'catarrh' was one of the most common diagnoses, especially for winter colds and flus.
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