Definition
A wilt is disease or disease symptom in which there is drooping of leaves and stems from lack of water (inadequate water supply or excessive transpiration); vascular disease that interrupts normal water uptake.
Etymology. 1691, probably an alteration of welk "to wilt," probably from M.Du. or M.L.G. welken "to wither," cognate with O.H.G. irwelhen "become soft."
Discussion
Wilting of plants can be caused by biotic or abiotic factors, inclduing drought, root rot, flooding, root-knot nematodes, fertilizer burn of root systems, pesticide injurry and other toxicities and pathogenic microorganisms that colonize plant vascular systems.