red rot

noun

1. Plant Pathology. any of several fungal diseases of sugarcane, sorgo, and some trees, characterized by a red discoloration within the affected stalks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of red rot¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

This sometimes shows in the color, as the "red rot" of pine or the "bluing" of ash.

From Project Gutenberg