putrefy (verb) - to rot or spoil and emit an offensive odor; to make or become decomposed or disgusting [pyoo-truh-fahy]
BREAKDOWN: PUTR- (rotten, decayed) + -FY (to make or become)
putrefaction is the act, process, or state of decay or rotting in organic matter
putrefactive means of, pertaining to, or causing decay
“Sometimes societies die and putrefy long before they are pronounced dead, and sometimes men die of corruption long before they have taken to their deathbeds.” —Robert Payne
