I. ˈhwīt-ˌwȯsh, ˈwīt-, -ˌwäsh transitive verb
Date: 1591
1. : to whiten with whitewash
2.
a. : to gloss over or cover up (as vices or crimes)
refused to whitewash the scandal
b. : to exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data
3. : to hold (an opponent) scoreless in a game or contest
• white·wash·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1678
1. : a liquid composition for whitening a surface: as
a. : a preparation for whitening the skin
b. : a composition (as of lime and water or whiting, size, and water) for whitening structural surfaces
2. : an act or instance of glossing over or of exonerating
3. : a defeat in a contest in which the loser fails to score