sprinkle

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
sprinkle/ˈsprɪŋkl/

▶verb

• 1 scatter or pour small drops or particles over.

  ■ scatter or pour (small drops or particles) over an object or surface.

• 2 distribute something randomly throughout.

• 3 (it sprinkles, it is sprinkling, etc.) N. Amer. rain very lightly.

▶noun

• 1 a small quantity or amount that is sprinkled.

• 2 N. Amer. a light rain.

• 3 (sprinkles) N. Amer. tiny sugar strands and balls used for decorating cakes and desserts.

– origin ME: perh. from MDu. sprenkelen.