# parch

> English word · Verb · IPA /pɑɹt͡ʃ/

## Definitions
1. To burn the surface of, to scorch.
2. To roast, as dry grain.
3. To dry to extremity; to shrivel with heat.
4. To make very thirsty.
5. To boil something slowly (Still used in Lancashire in parched peas, a type of mushy peas).
6. To become superficially burnt; to become sunburned.

## Etymology
From Middle English parchen, paarchen (“to parch; dry; roast”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps a variant of Middle English perchen (“to roast”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/parch