SEAR

see: sere II. verb Etymology: Middle English seren, from Old English sēarian to become dry, from sēar sere Date: before 12th century intransitive verb to cause withering or drying, transitive verb to make withered and dry ; parch , 2. to burn, scorch, mark, or injure with or as if with sudden application of intense heat, to cook the surface of quickly with intense heat , III. noun Date: 1874 a mark or scar left by ~ing, IV. noun Etymology: probably from Middle French serre grasp, from serrer to press, grasp, from Old French, from Late Latin serare to bolt, latch, from Latin sera bar for fastening a door Date: 1596 the catch that holds the hammer of a gun's lock at cock or half cock