Any epidemic disease that is highly contagious, infectious, virulent and devastating.
1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book XVII, Chapter iii, leaf 347r
and hit was in the realme of Logrys and soo bifelle grete pestylence & grete harme to both Realmes
"And it was in the realm of Logris; and so befell great pestilence and great harm to both realms."
(archaic) Anything harmful to morals or public order.