The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fan \Fan\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fanned; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Fanning.] [Cf. OF. vanner, L. vannere. See Fan, n., Van
   a winnowing machine.]
   1. To move as with a fan.
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            The air . . . fanned with unnumbered plumes.
                                                  --Milton.
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   2. To cool and refresh, by moving the air with a fan; to blow
      the air on the face of with a fan.
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   3. To ventilate; to blow on; to affect by air put in motion.
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            Calm as the breath which fans our eastern groves.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   4. To winnow; to separate chaff from, and drive it away by a
      current of air; as, to fan wheat. --Jer. li. 2.
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   5. To excite or stir up to activity, as a fan excites a
      flame; to stimulate; as, this conduct fanned the
      excitement of the populace.
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   Fanning machine, or Fanning mill, a machine for
      separating seed from chaff, etc., by a blast of air; a
      fanner.
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