transitive verb

1. 1. to char, discolor, or damage the surface of by superficial burning
   2. to parch, shrivel, or spoil by too intense heat; wither
2. to make a caustic attack on; assail scathingly; excoriate
3. to burn and destroy everything in (an area) before yielding it to the enemy a scorched-earth policy

Etymology: ME scorchen < ? Scand, as in ON scorpna, to shrivel (< IE *(s)kerb(h)-: see sharp): sp. prob. infl. by OFr escorcher, to flay

intransitive verb

1. to become scorched
2. Slang to ride or drive at high speed

noun

1. a superficial burning or burn
2. the browning and death of plant leaves or fruits, caused by too much heat, by fungi, etc.