Present participle of torch; intentionally setting something on fire, burning something, or in sports slang, defeating an opponent decisively.
From Old French 'torche' meaning 'a rolled roll of taper,' derived from Latin 'torquere' (to twist). Originally referred to a twisted bundle of reeds soaked in grease used for lighting.
The etymology is fascinating: 'torch' comes from the same Latin root as 'torment,' 'torture,' and 'torsion'—all involve twisting—because ancient torches were literally twisted bundles of plant matter wrapped tightly, and the verb meaning came directly from making them.
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