rot

I. verb (rotted; rotting) Etymology: Middle English roten, from Old English rotian; akin to Old High German rōzzēn to rot Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. a. to undergo decomposition from the action of bacteria or fungi b. to become unsound or weak (as from use or chemical action) 2. a. to go to ruin ; deteriorate b. to become morally corrupt ; degenerate transitive verb to cause to decompose or deteriorate with or as if with rot Synonyms: see decay II. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. the process of rotting ; the state of being rotten ; decay b. something rotten or rotting 2. a. archaic a wasting putrescent disease b. any of several parasitic diseases especially of sheep marked by necrosis and wasting c. plant disease marked by breakdown of tissues and caused especially by fungi or bacteria 3. nonsense — often used interjectionally