The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pan \Pan\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Panned; p. pr. & vb. n. Panning.] 1. (Mining) To separate, as gold, from dirt or sand, by washing in a kind of pan. [U. S.] [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 2. To criticise (a drama or literary work) harshly. [PJC]