Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ptomaine \Pto"ma*ine\, n. [From Gr. ? a dead body.] (Physiol.
   Chem.)
   One of a class of animal bases or alkaloids formed in the
   putrefaction of various kinds of albuminous matter, and
   closely related to the vegetable alkaloids; a cadaveric
   poison. The ptomaines, as a class, have their origin in dead
   matter, by which they are to be distinguished from the
   leucomaines.

Source : WordNet®

ptomaine
     n 1: any of various amines (such as putrescine or cadaverine)
          formed by the action of putrefactive bacteria [syn: {ptomain}]
     2: a term for food poisoning that is no longer in scientific
        use; food poisoning was once thought to be caused by
        ingesting ptomaines [syn: {ptomaine poisoning}]