n. [ AS. meledeáw; akin to OHG. militou, G. mehlthau, mehltau; prob. orig. meaning, honeydew; cf. Goth. milip honey. See Mellifluous, and Dew. ] (Bot.) A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying substances. [ 1913 Webster ]
powdery mildew
v. t.
He . . . mildews the white wheat. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To become tainted with mildew. [ 1913 Webster ]