Etymology From Middle English sprenkelen, sprynklen, from Middle Dutch sprenkelen, equivalent to sprink + -le (frequentative suffix). Cognate with Dutch sprenkelen (“to sprinkle”), German Low German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle; dapple”), German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle”).
1
To cause (a substance) to fall in fine drops (for a liquid substance) or small pieces (for a solid substance).
The confectioner sprinkled icing sugar over the cakes.
And the priest shall[…]sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Leviticus 14:16:
2 more examples
At twilight in the summer[…]the mice come out. They[…]eat the luncheon crumbs. Mr. Checkly, for instance, always brought his dinner in a paper parcel in his coat-tail pocket, and ate it when so disposed, sprinkling crumbs lavishly[…]on the floor.1892, Walter Besant, chapter II, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:
Over the centuries the movement of clans and tribes of people has provided the kind of crop that would emerge if a blind god had sprinkled seeds at random on a field[.]1985, Robert Burchfield, The English Language, Oxford: Oxford University Press, page 137:
2
To cover (an object) by sprinkling a substance on to it.
The confectioner sprinkled the cakes with icing sugar.
Most of the passengers watched from the enclosed promenade deck, but Sandra found her way to the higher, open promenade where she shivered and watched the city lights fade and the stars sprinkle themselves across a dark blue velvet sky.2005, Justus Roux, Who's Your Daddy?, page 66:
3
To drip in fine drops, sometimes sporadically.
It sprinkled outside all day long.
4
To rain very lightly outside.
It sprinkled very early in the morning.
5
To baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify.
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Hebrews 10:22:
Etymology From Middle English sprenkelen, sprynklen, from Middle Dutch sprenkelen, equivalent to sprink + -le (frequentative suffix). Cognate with Dutch sprenkelen (“to sprinkle”), German Low German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle; dapple”), German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle”).
1
A light covering with a sprinkled substance.
He decorated the Christmas card with a sprinkle of glitter.
My memory leaves me with a constant and deep burning, my eyes stinging and red from short sprinkles of tears which have been sneaking up on me for days now.1979 December 1, Ellen Brook Davis, “David Brill — In Memoriam”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 19, page 5:
2
A light rain shower.
3
An aspersorium or utensil for sprinkling.
4
A small hard piece of sugar and starch, or chocolate, used to decorate cakes etc.