What does "mucous" mean?

Mucous: Secreting a slimy or mucigenous substance; as, the mucous membrane. Mucous membrane. (Anat.) See under Membrane. -- Mucous patches (Med.), elevated patches found in the mucous membranes of the mouth and anus, usually due to syphilis. -- Mucous tissue (Anat.), a form of connective tissue in an early stage of development, found in the umbilical cord and in the embryo, and also in certain tumors called myxomata.