drought

n. [ OE. droght, drougth, dru&yogh_;ð, AS. drugað, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The drought of March hath pierced to the root. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

In a drought the thirsty creatures cry. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Thirst; want of drink. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Scarcity; lack. [ 1913 Webster ]

A drought of Christian writers caused a dearth of all history. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]