noun

the state or process of rotting; decay.

the decomposition of organic waste

decay,rotting,going bad,putrefaction,putrescence,putridity,festering,spoilage,perishing,corruption,breaking up,breaking apart,fragmenting,disintegration,crumbling,dissolution,dissolving,breaking down,decaying,separation,division,breakdown,break-up,dissection,atomization,resolution,analysis,reduction,fractionation