Main Entry: in·tu·mes·cence

Pronunciation: \ˌin-tü-ˈme-s^ən(t)s, -tyu̇-\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from Latin intumescere to swell up, from in- + tumescere to swell — more at tumescence

Date: 1650

: a swollen or enlarged part of a plant or animal; also : the process of swelling up or enlarging