scorch - noun

a surface burn

a plant disease that produces a browning or scorched appearance of plant tissues

a discoloration caused by heat

scorch - verb

• make very hot and dry
• become superficially burned
• destroy completely by or as if by fire
• burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color
• become scorched or singed under intense heat or dry conditions

scorch - thesaurus

blacken   char   sear   singe