I. ˈpärch, ˈpȧch verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English perchen, parchen, perhaps from Old North French perchier to pierce, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin pertusiare — more at pierce
transitive verb
1. : to toast under dry heat : burn or roast superficially : scorch
parched the kernels of sweet corn
2. : to dry to extremity : shrivel with heat
cheekbones showed clearly under tightly drawn skin, which was tanned and parched — K.M.Dodson
3. : to dry or shrivel with cold
busy restoring complexions that were parched by winter weather — New Yorker
intransitive verb
: to lose moisture : become dry or scorched
the skin … parches and wrinkles early in life — Russell Lord
Synonyms: see dry
I. noun
( -es )
: a drying out
areas hit by the parch of drought