[tor.rent] n [MF, fr. L torrent-, torrens, fr. torrent-, torrens, adj., burning, seething, rushing, fr. prp. of torrere to parch, burn--more at thirst] (1582) 1: a tumultuous outpouring: rush
2: a violent stream of a liquid (as water or lava)
3: a channel of a mountain stream
[2]torrent adj (1667): torrential