sprinkle

Etymology

From Middle English sprenkelen, sprynklen, from Middle Dutch sprenkelen, equivalent to spring + -le (frequentative suffix). Cognate with Dutch sprenkelen (“to sprinkle”), German Low German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle; dapple”), German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle”).

verb

1. (transitive) To cause (a substance) to fall in fine drops (for a liquid substance) or small pieces (for a solid substance).
   The confectioner sprinkled icing sugar over the cakes.
2. (transitive) To cover (an object) by sprinkling a substance on to it.
   The confectioner sprinkled the cakes with icing sugar.
   Most of the passengers watched from the enclosed promenade deck, but Sandra found her way to the higher, open promenade where she shivered and watched the city lights fade and the stars sprinkle themselves across a dark blue velvet sky. 2005, Justus Roux, Who's Your Daddy?, page 66
3. (intransitive) To drip in fine drops, sometimes sporadically.
   It sprinkled outside all day long.
4. (intransitive) To rain very lightly outside.
   It sprinkled very early in the morning.
5. (transitive) To baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify.

noun

1. A light covering with a sprinkled substance.
   He decorated the Christmas card with a sprinkle of glitter.
2. A light rain shower.
3. An aspersorium or utensil for sprinkling.
4. A small hard piece of sugar and starch, or chocolate, used to decorate cakes etc.