Pas"tern (?), n. [Of. pasturon, F. paturon, fr. OF. pasture a tether, for beasts while pasturing; prop., a pasturing. See Pasture.]
1.
The part of the foot of the horse, and allied animals, between the fetlock and the coffin joint. See Illust. of Horse.
⇒ The upper bone, or phalanx, of the foot is called the great pastern bone; the second, the small pastern bone; and the third, in the hoof, the coffin bone.
Pastern joint, the joint in the hoof of the horse, and allied animals, between the great and small pastern bones.
2.
A shackle for horses while pasturing.
Knight.
3.
A patten.
[Obs.]
Dryden.
© Webster 1913.