The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

autolysis \autolysis\ n.
   1. lysis of cells or tissues due to enzymatic activity from
      within the cell, as contrasted with externally induced
      lysis.

   Note: Autolysis occurs to tissues of higher animals when they
         are detached from the organism.
         [WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

autolysis
    n 1: lysis of plant or animal tissue by an internal process
         [syn: autolysis, self-digestion]