speckle

The noun is from Middle Dutch spekkel; the verb was later coined from the noun, in the late 16th century.

• IPA^(key): /ˈspɛkəl/

speckle (countable and uncountable, plural speckles)

1. A small spot or speck on the skin, plumage or foliage.
2. (physics) The random distribution of light when it is scattered by a rough surface.
3. (Scotland) Kind; sort.
4. (cytology) A cluster of interchromatin granules in a nucleus

• speckled
• speckly

speckle (third-person singular simple present speckles, present participle speckling, simple past and past participle speckled)

1. To mark with speckles.