Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
SEASON
I. noun see: sow
Date: 14th century
1. a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature , a suitable or natural time or occasion , an indefinite period of time ; while ,
2. a period of the year characterized by or associated with a particular activity or phenomenon , a period associated with some phase or activity of agriculture (as growth or harvesting), a period in which an animal engages in some activity (as migrating or mating), the period normally characterized by a particular kind of weather , a period marked by special activity especially in some field , a period in which a place is most frequented, one of the four quarters into which the year is commonly divided, the time of a major holiday, year , seasoning , the schedule of official games played or to be played by a sports team during a playing season , off-season ,
II. verb (seasoned; seasoning)
Etymology: Middle English sesounen, back-formation from sesounde flavored, from Anglo-French seisoné brought to a desired state, from seison
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. to give (food) more flavor or zest by adding seasoning or savory ingredients, to give a distinctive quality to as if by seasoning, to qualify by admixture ; temper ,
2. to treat (as wood or a skillet) so as to prepare for use, to make fit by experience , intransitive verb to become seasoned