1732, a back-formation from putrescence, or else from Latin putrescentem (nominative putrescens), present participle of putrescere "grow rotten, moulder, decay," inchoative of putrere "be rotten" (see putrid).
a trail lined by putrescent carcasses
put-on
put-put
putrefaction
putrefy
putrescence
putrescent
putrid
putridity
putsch
putt
puttee