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