cankering
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Canker \Can"ker\ (k[a^][ng]"k[~e]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cankered (-k[~e]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Cankering.]
1.To affect as a canker; to eat away; to corrode; to consume. [1913 Webster]
No lapse of moons can canker Love.— Tennyson.[1913 Webster]
2.To infect or pollute; to corrupt. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
A tithe purloined cankers the whole estate.— Herbert.[1913 Webster]