Archaic word for a medical doctor, used in historical contexts. The reading くすりし is also attested for 薬師.
In the old days, there were few doctors, and falling ill was a serious matter.
This ancient document uses the word 薬師.
Formal modern term for 'physician'. The spelling 医師 can also be read くすし as an irregular archaic reading.
Standard kanji spelling for this archaic word meaning 'doctor'.
Rare single-kanji spelling; may be confused with other readings.
Irregular kanji usage; normally read いし.
Derived from 薬 (kusuri, 'medicine') + 師 (shi, 'master, specialist'), literally 'medicine master'. The contracted reading くすし is an older form.