Coughing elicited by irritation or manipulation of the ear canal; (in full "ear-cough reflex") the reflex responsible for such coughing, which involves a small branch of the vagus nerve; an instance of this.
Origin
Mid 19th century.
Definition of ear-cough in US English:
ear-cough
noun
Coughing elicited by irritation or manipulation of the ear canal; (in full "ear-cough reflex") the reflex responsible for such coughing, which involves a small branch of the vagus nerve; an instance of this.