intumescence

noun

in·​tu·​mes·​cence ˌin-tü-ˈme-sᵊn(t)s 

-tyü-

: a swollen or enlarged part of a plant or animal

also : the process of swelling up or enlarging

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin intumescere to swell up, from in- + tumescere to swell — more at tumescence

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

intumescence

noun

in·​tu·​mes·​cence -ˈmes-ᵊn(t)s 

1

a

: the action or process of becoming enlarged or swollen

b

: the state of being swollen

2

: something (as a tumor) that is swollen or enlarged

intumesce

-ˈmes 

intransitive verb

intumesced; intumescing