PELT

v. & n. --v. 1 tr. (usu. foll. by with) a hurl many small missiles at. b strike repeatedly with missiles. c assail (a person etc.) with insults, abuse, etc. 2 intr. (usu. foll. by down) (of rain etc.) fall quickly and torrentially. 3 intr. run fast. 4 intr. (often foll. by at) fire repeatedly. --n. the act or an instance of pelting. øat full pelt as fast as possible. [16th c.: orig. unkn.]