De*his"cence (?), n. [Cf. F. d'ehiscence.]
1.
The act of gaping.
2. Biol.
A gaping or bursting open along a definite line of attachment or suture, without tearing, as in the opening of pods, or the bursting of capsules at maturity so as to emit seeds, etc.; also, the bursting open of follicles, as in the ovaries of animals, for the expulsion of their contents.
© Webster 1913.