I. ˈsti-pəl transitive verb
( stip·pled ; stip·pling -p(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: Dutch stippelen to spot, dot
Date: circa 1762
1. : to engrave by means of dots and flicks
2.
a. : to make by small short touches (as of paint or ink) that together produce an even or softly graded shadow
b. : to apply (as paint) by repeated small touches
3. : speckle , fleck
• stip·pler -p(ə-)lər noun
II. noun
Date: 1837
: production of gradation of light and shade in graphic art by stippling small points, larger dots, or longer strokes ; also : an effect produced in this way