mottle

1670-80. Probably back-formation from motley.

• (US) enPR: mǒt' l, IPA^(key): /ˈmɑt əl/

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• Rhymes: -ɒtəl

mottle (third-person singular simple present mottles, present participle mottling, simple past and past participle mottled)

1. To mark with blotches of different color, or shades of color, as if stained; to spot; to maculate.
   • 1936, F.J. Thwaites, chapter XXII, in The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards, published 1940, page 214:

     Between the grey mist of rainclouds the sun suddenly appeared to mottle the wet asphalt of Marble Arch in patches of silver and ebony.

mottle (plural mottles)

1. A distinguishing blotch of color.
2. A mottled coloration or pattern.

   The most common symptom is a mild mottle on the youngest leaves of infected plants.