a foul-smelling compound, NH(CH)NH, produced by bacterial fermentation of protein and in the normal metabolism of mammals: it is a precursor of spermine
Origin:
< L putrescere (see putrescent) + -ine
See putrescine in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A colorless, foul-smelling ptomaine, NH2(CH2)4NH2, produced in decaying animal tissue by the decarboxylation of ornithine.