Toad (?), n. [OE. tode, tade, AS. tādie, tādige; of unknown origin. Cf. Tadpole.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of batrachians belonging to the genus Bufo and allied genera, especially those of the family Bufonidæ. Toads are generally terrestrial in their habits except during the breeding season, when they seek the water. Most of the species burrow beneath the earth in the daytime and come forth to feed on insects at night. Most toads have a rough, warty skin in which are glands that secrete an acrid fluid.

☞ The common toad (Bufo vulgaris) and the natterjack are familiar European species. The common American toad (B. lentiginosus) is similar to the European toad, but is less warty and is more active, moving chiefly by leaping.

Obstetrical toad. (Zoöl.) See under Obstetrical. -- Surinam toad. (Zoöl.) See Pita. -- Toad lizard (Zoöl.), a horned toad. -- Toad pipe (Bot.), a hollow-stemmed plant (Equisetum limosum) growing in muddy places. Dr. Prior. -- Toad rush (Bot.), a low-growing kind of rush (Juncus bufonius). -- Toad snatcher(Zoöl.), the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.] -- Toad spittle. (Zoöl.) See Cuckoo spit, under Cuckoo. -- Tree toad. (Zoöl.) See under Tree.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913