touch paper

paper saturated with potassium nitrate to make it burn slowly, used for igniting explosives and fireworks.

Origin of touch paper

First recorded in 1740–50

William made some touch-paper, which he lighted with one of the glasses from the telescope, and they soon had a good fire.

Masterman Ready |Captain Frederick Marryat
Thus, if the ashes of a cigar be well rubbed into a bit of paper, they convert it into touch-paper.

The Art of Travel |Francis Galton
The appearance of the rocket is shown at fig. 36; the dotted line round the mouth shows the touch-paper.

The Pyrotechnist's Treasury |Thomas Kentish
The match is lit at t; but this may have a long bit of touch-paper attached to it, if preferred.

The Pyrotechnist's Treasury |Thomas Kentish

Lighting the touch-paper in his tobacco-box, he passed it over the body of the hound which had attacked me, and then of the other.

Micah Clarke |Arthur Conan Doyle