ptomaine

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtəʊmeɪn/

noun

Chemistry, dated
  • any of a group of amine compounds of unpleasant taste and odour formed in putrefying animal and vegetable matter and formerly thought to cause food poisoning.

Origin:

late 19th century: from French ptomaïne, from Italian ptomaina, formed irregularly from Greek ptōma 'corpse'