Mildewy Melissa
mildew (n.) mid-13c., mildeu "honeydew, nectar," from Old English meledeaw "honeydew" (sticky stuff exuded by aphids), from Proto-Germanic compound of *melith "honey" (see Melissa ) + *dawwaz "dew" (see dew ). Cf. Old Saxon milidou , Dutch meeldauw , German Meltau "mildew." First element in many cases assimilated to forms of meal (n.2) "ground grain." As a kind of fungus it is first recorded mid-14c., so called from its being sticky and originally growing in plants. As a verb from 1550s. Related: Mildewed .