v. & n.
v.tr. 1 burn (the skin etc.) with hot liquid or steam. 2 heat (esp. milk) to near boiling-point. 3 (usu. foll. by out) clean (a pan etc.) by rinsing with boiling water. 4 treat (poultry etc.) with boiling water to remove feathers etc.
n. 1 a burn etc. caused by scalding. 2 a skin disease caused esp. by air pollution etc. affecting the fruits of some plants. like a scalded cat moving unusually fast. scalded cream a dessert made from milk scalded and allowed to stand. scalding tears hot bitter tears of grief etc. scalder n.
[ ME f. AF, ONF escalder, OF eschalder f. LL excaldare (as EX-(1), L calidus hot) ]