n. pl. pro·sciut·ti (-tē) or pro·sciut·tos An aged, sometimes spiced Italian ham that is salted, cured by drying, and usually served in thin slices. [Italian, alteration (probably influenced by prosciugare, to dry out) of presciutto, from Vulgar Latin *perexsūctus, thoroughly dried up : Latin per-, per- + Latin exsūctus, past participle of exsūgere, to suck out (ex-, ex- + sūgere, to suck; see SUCTION).] |
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