Dapple

Dapple \DAP-uhl\ , noun;
1. A small contrasting spot or blotch
2. A mottled appearance, especially of the coat of an animal (as a horse)
transitive verb;
1. To mark with patches of a color or shade; to spot
intransitive verb;
1. To become dappled
adjective;
1. Marked with contrasting patches or spots; dappled


This word dates to the 1400's as a past participle adjective dappled. It is probably a back formation from dapple-gray ("apple-gray"), either because of the resemblance to markings on an apples or because the blotches resemble apples themselves. The verb versions date to the 1590's.

Today's word and the first definition were both taken from Dictionary.com's 'Word of the Day' for Monday, April 4
Etymologies come from the Oxford English Dictionary and/or Etymonline.com