PAN (6)

Pan, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Panned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Panning.] (Mining) To separate, as gold, from dirt or sand, by washing in a kind of pan. We . . . witnessed the process of cleaning up and panning out, which is the last process of separating the pure gold from the fine dirt and black sand. Gen. W. T. Sherman.