Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Parch \Parch\ (p[aum]rch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parched}; p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Parching}.] [OE. perchen to pierce, hence used of a
   piercing heat or cold, OF. perchier, another form of percier,
   F. percer. See {Pierce}.]
   1. To burn the surface of; to scorch; to roast over the fire,
      as dry grain; as, to parch the skin; to parch corn.

            Ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn. --Lev.
                                                  xxiii. 14.

   2. To dry to extremity; to shrivel with heat; as, the mouth
      is parched from fever.

            The ground below is parched.          --Dryden.

Parching \Parch"ing\ (p[aum]rch"[i^]ng), a.
   Scorching; burning; drying. ``Summer's parching heat.''
   --Shak. -- {Parch"ing*ly}, adv.