"process of flowering," 1764, from Modern Latin florescentia, from Latin florescentem (nominative florescens) "blooming," present participle of florescere "to begin to bloom," inceptive of florere "to blossom" (see flourish (v.)).
floppy
flora
floral
Florence
Florentine
florescence
florescent
floret
floricide
floriculture
florid