dredge

Meanings

Noun

• Any instrument used to gather or take by dragging; as:
• Very fine mineral matter held in suspension in water.
• A large shaker for sprinkling spices or seasonings during food preparation.
• A mixture of oats and barley.

Verb

• To make a channel deeper or wider using a dredge.
• To bring something to the surface with a dredge.
• (Usually with up) to unearth.
• To sprinkle (food) with spices or seasonings, using a dredge.

Origin

• From Scots dreg-boat, dreg-bot (from Old English *dreċġ); or alternatively from Middle Dutch dregghe, probably ultimately from the same root as drag.
• From Middle English dragge, from Old French dragee, dragie, from Latin tragēmata, from Ancient Greek τραγήματα ("spices"), plural of τράγημα.