(ˈ)tō|mān noun
( -s )
Etymology: Italian ptomaina, from Greek ptōma fall, fallen body, corpse (from piptein to fall) + Italian -ina -ine — more at feather
: any of various organic bases some of which (as cadaverine or putrescine) are poisonous and which are formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria on nitrogenous matter — compare leucomaine