char1

 
Pronunciation: /tʃɑː/

verb (chars, charring, charred)

[with object]
  • partially burn so as to blacken the surface: a region charred by bush fires (as adjective charred) charred remains
  • [no object] (of an object) become blackened as a result of partial burning: the exposed surfaces of the beams may char in a fire

noun

[mass noun]
  • material that has been charred: she trimmed the char from the wicks of the oil lamps

Origin:

late 17th century: apparently a back-formation from charcoal