Chark

/tʃɑɹk/ verb

Definition

To burn something until it becomes charred or to reduce something to charcoal by burning.

Etymology

Variant or abbreviation of 'char,' which comes from Old English 'cerran' meaning to turn or change. The term evolved to describe the darkening of wood through burning.

Kelly Says

Chark is an old dialect word that shows how people literally made charcoal for cooking and art—by carefully burning wood until it transformed into pure carbon. Medieval blacksmiths relied on charked wood to fuel their forges!

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