Mil"dew (?), n. [AS.
meledeƔw; 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.
Mil"dew, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mildewed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mildewing.] To taint with mildew.
He . . . mildews the white wheat.
Shak.Mil"dew, v. i. To become tainted
with mildew.