In David Copperfield, I encountered the word "pounce" as something in a lawyer's office. My search for it turned up an ancient encyclopedia that I found fun to browse. I hope other members may also find it fun to browse.
http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/A81.HTM

Incidentally, the word "pounce" refers to the sand that used to be spread on papers with handwriting in ink, to
speed the drying of the ink.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Definition: \Pounce\, n. [F. ponce pumice, pounce, fr. L. pumex,
-icis, pumice. See {Pumice}.]
1. A fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, --
formerly used to prevent ink from spreading on manuscript.



2. Charcoal dust, or some other colored powder for making
patterns through perforated designs, -- used by
embroiderers, lace makers, etc.

{Pounce box}, a box for sprinkling pounce.

{Pounce paper}, a transparent paper for tracing.


\Pounce\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pounded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pouncing}.]
To sprinkle or rub with pounce; as, to pounce paper, or a
pattern.


\Pounce\, n. [Prob. through French, from an assumed LL.
punctiare to prick, L. pungere, punctum. See {Puncheon},
{Punch}, v. t.]
1. The claw or talon of a bird of prey. --Spenser. Burke.

2. A punch or stamp. [Obs.] ``A pounce to print money with.''
--Withals.

3. Cloth worked in eyelet holes. [Obs.] --Homilies.


\Pounce\, v. t.
1. To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the
talons. [Archaic]

Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren.
--Cowper.

Now pounce him lightly, And as he roars and rages,
let's go deeper. --J. Fletcher.

2. To punch; to perforate; to stamp holes in, or dots on, by
way of ornament. [Obs.] --Sir T. Elyot.


\Pounce\, v