sift

v. 1 put through a sieve. 2 (usu. Foll. By from, out) separate (finer or coarser parts) from material. 3 sprinkle (esp. Sugar) from a perforated container. 4 examine (evidence, facts, etc.). 5 (of snow, light, etc.) Fall as if from a sieve. [old english]

v. t. To separate with a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal or flour; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime.