a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter
A growth of minute powdery or webby fungi, whitish or of different colors, found on various diseased or decaying substances.
To taint with mildew.
The word mildew comes from Old English, where it originally meant "honey dew." This combines elements meaning honey and dew to describe the sweet-smelling substance that early people thought covered moldy grain.