win·now 
/ˈwɪnoʊ/ verb
win·nows; win·nowed; win·now·ing /ˈwɪnoʊ/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to remove (people or things that are less important, desirable, etc.) from a larger group or list
▪ The least qualified applicants were winnowed out of the initial pool. : to make (a list of possible choices) smaller by removing the less desirable choices ▪ The list of candidates has been winnowed [=narrowed down, whittled down] to five. — often + down ▪ He needs to winnow down his options. 2 : to remove (the unwanted coverings of seeds) from grain by throwing the grain up in the air and letting the wind blow the unwanted parts away
▪ Harvesters winnowed the chaff from the wheat.
▪ The least qualified applicants were winnowed out of the initial pool. : to make (a list of possible choices) smaller by removing the less desirable choices ▪ The list of candidates has been winnowed [=narrowed down, whittled down] to five. — often + down ▪ He needs to winnow down his options.
▪ Harvesters winnowed the chaff from the wheat.
