timber rot

noun

1

: a decay of lumber and building timbers

specifically : one caused by a fungus (Poria incrassata)

2

: a disease of various herbaceous plants caused by a fungus (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) and marked by dry granular stem lesions near the ground and white mold on the surface

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!