Meaning

noun the process of becoming mildewed

noun a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter

verb become moldy; spoil due to humidity

originFrom Middle English myldew, from Old English meledēaw, mildēaw, from Proto-West Germanic *milidauw, from *mili (“honey”) + *dauw (“dew”). Compare West Frisian moaldau, Dutch meeldauw, German Mehltau. More at dew.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0