intransitive verb

1. to become limp, as from heat or lack of water; wither; droop: said of plants
2. to become weak or faint; lose strength; languish
3. to lose courage; quail

Etymology: var. of obs. welk, to wither < ME welken, to fade, wither, dry up, akin to OHG welc, damp, wilted < IE *welg-, var. of base *welk-, moist, damp > OE wealg, nauseous

transitive verb

noun

1. a wilting or being wilted
2. also, esp. for a, wilt disease
   1. a highly infectious disease of some caterpillars, in which the carcasses liquefy
   2. any of several plant diseases caused by certain bacteria or fungi and characterized by wilting of the leaves

verb