Obs. exc. dial. Forms: 6–7 fenow, finnew, vinew, 8 finnow, 9 dial. vinny. [OE. fyneȝian, f. fyniȝ mouldy (see FINNY a.2), f. fyne: see FEN sb.2] a. intr. To become moldy or musty. b. trans. To cause to become moldy. Also fig.
c. 1000. Canons Ælfric, § 36. Þæt Þæt haliȝe husel sceole fyneȝian.
1581. Pettie, Guazzo’s Civ. Conv., I. (1586), 30. Secretes which he suffered to mould and vinew within it.
a. 1633. Lennard, trans. Charron’s Wisd., I. xxxi. § 1 (1670), 88. With time it [sadness] rusteth and fenoweth the soul.
a. 1722. Lisle, Observ. Husb. (1757), 206. Whereby the undermost corn is pressed to dry that it is killed, and never works into malt, but finnows [marg. gloss molds].
Hence Finewing vbl. sb.
1552. Huloet, Vinewing, or molinge of breade or wyne for stalenes, mucor.
1609. C. Butler, Fem. Mon. (1634), 174. It [syrup of violets] may be kept a year without finnewing or corruption.
