pounce2

 
Pronunciation: /paʊns/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1a fine resinous powder formerly used to prevent ink from spreading on unglazed paper or to prepare parchment to receive writing.
  • 2powdered charcoal or other fine powder dusted over a perforated pattern to transfer the design to the object beneath.

verb

[with object]
  • 1smooth down by rubbing with pounce or pumice.
  • 2transfer (a design) by the use of pounce.

Origin:

late 16th century (as a verb): from French poncer, based on Latin pumex 'pumice'