From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Drought \Drought\ (drout), n. [OE. droght, drougth,
dru[yogh][eth], AS. druga[eth], 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.
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The drought of March hath pierced to the root.
--Chaucer.
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In a drought the thirsty creatures cry. --Dryden.
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2. Thirst; want of drink. --Johnson.
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3. Scarcity; lack.
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A drought of Christian writers caused a dearth of
all history. --Fuller.
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