Word Study
autolysis
CIDE DICTIONARY
autolysis, n.
lysis of cells or tissues due to enzymatic activity from within the cell, as contrasted with externally induced lysis.
"Autolysis occurs to tissues of higher animals when they are detached from the organism." [WordNet 1.5]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
autolysis, n. the destruction of cells by their own enzymes.
Derivative
autolytic adj.
Etymology
G Autolyse (as AUTO-, -LYSIS)
For further exploring for "autolysis" in Webster Dictionary Online