v. & adj.
v.tr. 1 a scorch, esp. with a hot iron; cauterize, brand. b (as searing adj.) scorching, burning (searing pain). 2 cause pain or great anguish to. 3 brown (meat) quickly at a high temperature so that it will retain its juices in cooking. 4 make (one's conscience, feelings, etc.) callous. 5 archaic blast, wither.
adj. (also sere) literary (esp. of a plant etc.) withered, dried up.
[ OE sear (adj.), searian (v.), f. Gmc ]