an explosive material used as a detonator, esp. one containing mercuric fulminate
fulminating powder in American English
noun
1.
powder that explodes by percussion
2.
a fulminate
Word origin
[1795–1805]This word is first recorded in the period 1795–1805. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: crunch, oxidize, steeplechase, unilateral, wrecker