charcoal

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtʃɑːkəʊl/

noun

[mass noun]
  • a porous black solid, consisting of an amorphous form of carbon, obtained as a residue when wood, bone, or other organic matter is heated in the absence of air.
  • briquettes of charcoal used for barbecuing: lamb grilled on charcoal
  • charcoal used for drawing: a selection of works in pencil and charcoal [count noun]: with a thick charcoal he traced out the line of the front
  • [count noun] a drawing made with charcoal.
  • a dark grey colour: charcoal cord trousers

Origin:

late Middle English: probably related to coal in the early sense 'charcoal'