winnow

Blow away or off with a current of air.

“winnow chaff”

Select desirable parts from a group or list.

“winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants”

Blow on.

“The wind was winnowing her hair”

“the wind winnowed the grass”

Separate the chaff from grain by using air currents.

“She stood there winnowing grain all day in the field”

The act of separating grain from chaff.

“the winnowing was done by women”