The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Miniate \Min"i*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Miniated; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Miniating.] [L. miniatus, p. p. of miniare. See
   Minium.]
   To paint or tinge with red lead or vermilion; also, to
   decorate with letters, or the like, painted red, as the page
   of a manuscript. --T. Wharton.
   [1913 Webster]