French décomposer, from dé- de + composer to compose
verb
to separate into constituent parts or elements or into simpler compounds
rot
to break up into constituent parts by or as if by a chemical process : decay, rot
decompose water by electrolysis
decaydecomposerotputrefyspoil mean to undergo destructive dissolution. decay implies a slow change from a state of soundness or perfection. decompose stresses a breaking down by chemical change and when applied to organic matter a corruption.