n. [ F. avalanche, fr. avaler to descend, to let down, from aval down, downward; &unr_; (L. ad) + val, L. vallis, valley. See Valley. ]
n. [ Perhaps fr. OF. avalant descending, hanging down, p. pr. of avaler to go down, let down, descend (cf. Avalanche); but probably from the town of
Valance of Venice gold in needlework. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
His old fringed chair valanced around with party-colored worsted bobs. Sterne. [ 1913 Webster ]