sear

Adjective

• (used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture
  • dried-up grass
    
  • the desert was edged with sere vegetation
    
  • shriveled leaves on the unwatered seedlings
    
  • withered vines
    

Verb

• cause to wither or parch from exposure to heat
  • The sun parched the earth
    

• burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
  • The cook blackened the chicken breast
    
  • The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece
    
  • the flames scorched the ceiling
    

• become superficially burned
  • my eyebrows singed when I bent over the flames
    

• make very hot and dry
  • The heat scorched the countryside
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  dried-up , sere , shriveled , shrivelled , withered , parch , char , blacken , scorch , singe