The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Putrefy \Pu"tre*fy\, v. t. [Written also putrify.] [imp. & p. p.
   Putrefied; p. pr. & vb. n. Putrefying.] [F. putr['e]fier;
   L. putrere to be rotten + -ficare (in. comp.) to make; cf. L.
   putrefacere. See Putrid, and -fy.]
   1. To render putrid; to cause to decay offensively; to cause
      to be decomposed; to cause to rot.
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   2. To corrupt; to make foul.
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            Private suits do putrefy the public good. --Bacon.
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            They would but stink, and putrefy the air. --Shak.
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   3. To make morbid, carious, or gangrenous; as, to putrefy an
      ulcer or wound.
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