Relating to or caused by catarrh, an inflammation of mucous membranes with excessive mucus or discharge, especially in the nose, throat, or bronchial tubes.
From 'catarrh' (Greek 'katarrhein' meaning 'to flow down') + the adjective suffix '-al.' Medical terminology since the 18th century.
The word 'catarrh' perfectly captures the experience—it literally means 'flowing down'—and doctors of centuries past created 'catarrhal' to describe anything involving that flow!
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