verb

putrefy

PYOO-trih-fy/ˈpjuːtrɪfaɪ/

To decay or cause to decay through bacterial action, producing a foul smell.

The fish in the container putrefies and gives off a foul smell.

A young man recoils and pinches his nose after lifting the lid from a kitchen food container, revealing a visibly putrefying fish with discolored, collapsing flesh and flies.

Etymology

The roots combine as “make rotten.” Although that image suggests causing decay, the English verb also describes material itself rotting and developing a foul smell.

In context

Life Side1:58

tanning makes leather stable and it will never rot or putrefy

How Hides Are Converted into Leather? || Leather Making Process

More examples

Without refrigeration, the meat begins to putrefy.
Bacteria putrefy the food scraps in the warm trash can.
The dead animal putrefies in the summer heat.

Forms

putrefy · putrefies · putrefied · putrefying

putrefaction noun — Decomposition by bacteria that produces foul odors.

putrid adjective — Decayed and giving off a foul smell.

Similar words

rot: Common term for decay, without specifically emphasizing foul odor.
decay: Broader term for gradual breakdown, not necessarily involving bacteria.
decompose: Emphasizes breakdown into simpler substances rather than the resulting smell.