dehisce

verb

de·​hisce di-ˈhis 

dehisced; dehiscing

intransitive verb

: to split along a natural line

also : to discharge contents by so splitting

seedpods dehiscing at maturity

Word History

Etymology

Latin dehiscere to split open, from de- + hiscere to gape; akin to Latin hiare to yawn — more at yawn

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dehisce

intransitive verb

de·​hisce di-ˈhis 

dehisced; dehiscing

: to undergo dehiscence