I. ˈspriŋ-kəl verb
( sprin·kled ; sprin·kling -k(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: Middle English sprenklen, sprinclen; akin to Middle High German spreckel, sprenkel spot
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to scatter in drops or particles
2.
a. : to scatter over
b. : to scatter at intervals in or among : dot
sprinkled the speech with quips
c. : to wet lightly
intransitive verb
1. : to scatter a liquid in fine drops
2. : to rain lightly in scattered drops
• sprin·kler -k(ə-)lər noun
II. noun
Date: 1641
1. : the act or an instance of sprinkling ; especially : a light rain
2. : sprinkling
3. plural : small particles of candy used as a topping (as on ice cream) : jimmies