putrefy
To decay or rot with an offensive smell.
/ˈpjutɹəfaɪ/
Intransitive Verb
past: putrefiedpp: putrefieding: putrefying
This term describes a visceral, biological breakdown characterized by the release of foul-smelling gases. It carries a strong connotation of disgust and physical repulsion, making it far more intense than the neutral term decay.
In a figurative sense, the word describes the moral or social corruption of an institution or a person's character. It suggests a slow, internal rotting that eventually becomes obvious and offensive to others.