Emily Dickinson Lexicon

POUNCE, n.¹ [pouns; Fr. pierre-ponce, pumice-stone; poncer, to rub with pumice-stone; Arm. maen-puncz, pumice-stone.]

1. Sandarach pulverized, a fine powder used to prevent ink from spreading on paper.
2. Charcoal dust inclosed in some open stuff, as muslin, &c., to be passed over holes pricked in the work, to mark the lines or designs on a paper underneath. This kind of pounce is used by embroiderers to transfer their patterns upon their stuffs; also by lace-makers, and sometimes by engravers. It is also used in varnishing. – Cyc.
3. Cloth worked in eyelet-holes. – Todd.