I. ˈdrizəl verb
( drizzled ; drizzled ; drizzling -z(ə)liŋ ; drizzles )
Etymology: perhaps alteration of Middle English drysnen to fall, from Old English -drysnian to disappear; akin to Old English drēosan to fall — more at dreary
intransitive verb
1. : to rain in very small drops
a raw drizzling rain
it drizzled off and on all day
sometimes : to rain lightly : sprinkle
come on, it's only drizzling now
2. : to shed minute drops or particles like fine rain
the drizzling eyes to eat her beauty — Robinson Jeffers
transitive verb
1. : to shed or let fall in minute drops or particles
the aphids drizzled honeydew on our heads
the air doth drizzle dew — Shakespeare
after four minutes turn roe and mushrooms … then slowly drizzle on wine, sprinkle with parsley — Ford Times
2. : to make wet with minute drops
the dew on the branches disturbed by our passage drizzled our hair and shoulders
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a fine misty rain ; specifically : a light rain of very small drops falling at a velocity of between 144 feet per hour and 2 1/4 feet per second — compare shower
2.
a. : a slow dribble or trickle of a liquid
a lukewarm drizzle from the faucet
b. : a slow steady issue of hints or bits (as of an idea or attitude)
a drizzle of sensationalism — Elizabeth Janeway