In the process of becoming gangrenous; beginning to show signs of gangrene or tissue death.
From 'gangrene' + Latin suffix '-escent' (beginning to be or becoming). This suffix is used for processes in progress, like 'adolescent' (becoming an adult).
Doctors use this term to catch gangrene early—recognizing the gangrenescent stage meant they could treat it before the tissue was completely dead, potentially saving a limb.
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