Muck turning putrid, mostly (4)
I believe the answer is:
dirt
'muck' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dirt that I've seen before include "Obscenity" , "'Mud, dust or grime (4)'" , "Muck" , "Scandalous information" , "Grime - scandal" .)