Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
MALT
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mealt; akin to Old High German malz malt, Old English meltan to melt Date: before 12th century grain (as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling, malt liquor , malted milk , malty adjective
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb to convert into malt, to make or treat with malt or malt extract, intransitive verb to become malt, to make grain into malt