Definition of "expectorant"

The disease was regarded as pneumonia so far advanced that suppuration seemed to have supervened; bleeding, blisters, expectorants, and cathartics diminished the symptoms; the pulse continued frequent, hard, full, but always regular.

1833, R. J. Bertin, translated by Charles W. Chauncy, Treatise on the Diseases of the Heart, and Great Vessels, Philadelphia: Carey, Lea & Blnachard, page 165

The bedside table is littered with both OTC and prescription expectorants and pertussives and analgesics and Vitamin-C megaspansules […]

1996, David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest […], Boston, Mass., New York, N.Y.: Little, Brown and Company, page 60

‘Matchett says there’s old Mr P. who made all the money with ’is cought mixture—’ ‘Not Parkinsons ex . . something?’ asked Jessamy. ‘That’s it,’ nodded Sarah, ‘ “Hexpectorant Posset”.’

1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, page 84