Which term refers to a short comic tale with bawdy elements, similar to Chaucer's The Miller's Tale?

The correct term that refers to a short comic tale with bawdy elements, akin to Chaucer's "The Miller's Tale," is fabliau. Fabliau is characterized by its humorous and often risqué nature, typically depicting tales of ordinary people and their misadventures, often involving themes of infidelity, trickery, and social satire. This form of narrative emerged during the Middle Ages and is known for its lively storytelling and realistic characters, often set in a rural context.

In contrast, a fable is a brief story, often featuring animals as characters, that conveys a moral lesson. An epic is a lengthy narrative poem, usually detailing the adventures of heroic figures and significant events, such as war or the founding of nations. A ballad is a form of verse, often sung, that tells a story, typically about love or historical events, but lacks the specific comedic and bawdy aspects characteristic of a fabliau. Thus, fabliau is the best match for the description provided in the question.