rancidnessn.

1675 G. Harvey Dis. of London x. 134 The cause of an over-fret or rancidness [of wine], he asserts to be an imbodying or coagulation of the Sulphureous particles.

1681 S. Pordage tr. T. Willis Med.-philos. Disc. Fermentation vi. 18 It easily brings to Bodies a rancidness or putrefaction, or a mouldiness.

1725 N. Robinson New Theory of Physick iii. v. 157 All those different Viscidities of the Juices, from which the Scurvey..derives its origin, and which constitute that Ropiness and Rancidness of the Blood.

1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. Rancidness, strong scent, as of old oil.

1780 G. White Let. 30 Nov. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 112 From this food their flesh has contracted a rancidness which occasions them to be rejected by nicer judges of eating.

1844 Ohio Repository 6 June 1/2 Butter produced from sweet cream..appears to keep longest without acquiring rancidness.

1910 Times 2 Apr. 22/6 It is owing to these [sc. certain resinous, oily substances] that rancidness sets in when coffee is kept in store.

1940 K. Roberts Oliver Wiswell ii. xxxvi. 313 Horse droppings were everywhere: the air stank of ammonia, sweat, rancidness.

1983 N.Y. Times 8 May 18/3 Heavily seasoned dishes originated as a means of covering up for rancidness or poor quality.

1997 S. Hale Gender Politics Sudan i. i. 11 The political injustices of a colonized Africa and the rancidness of internalized colonialism.