Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - powder

 I. verb  (~ed; ~ing)  Date: 13th century  transitive verb  1. to sprinkle or cover with or as if with ~  2. to reduce or convert to ~  3. to hit very hard  intransitive verb  1. to become ~  2. to apply cosmetic ~  • ~er noun  II. noun  Usage: often attributive  Etymology: Middle English poudre, from Anglo-French pudre, podre, from Latin pulver-, pulvis dust; probably akin to Sanskrit palava chaff  Date: 14th century  1. matter in a finely divided state ; particulate matter  2.  a. a preparation in the form of fine particles especially for medicinal or cosmetic use  b. fine dry light snow  3. any of various solid explosives used chiefly in gunnery and blasting  • ~less adjective  • ~like adjective POWDER  geographical name  1. river 150 miles (241 kilometers) E Oregon flowing into the Snake  2. river 375 miles (604 kilometers) N Wyoming & SE Montana flowing N into the Yellowstone