Obs. [This appears to be the earliest of the series of compounds mentioned in TOUCH- 1 c, in which touch- signifies the ready kindling or setting fire to something; app. from OF. tochier (le feu), touchier to set fire. Touch-powder prob. represented an OF. *poudre-à-toucher (le feu). Thence touch-box, -hole, -pan, etc., and the parallel touch-wood, etc.] A fine kind of gunpowder placed in the pan over the touch-hole in an old-fashioned fire-arm; priming-powder. Also attrib.
1497. Naval Acc. Hen. VII. (1896), 88. Towchepoudre … j barell.
1508. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., IV. 137. Item, for double gilting of the Kingis twich powdir horn, xxvj s.
1591. Garrard’s Art Warre, 6. Let him make hys Tutch Pouder.
1598. [see TOUCH-BOX].
