Main Entry:

blanch

Pronunciation:

\ˈblanch\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English blaunchen, from Anglo-French blanchir, from blanc, adjective, white — more at blank

Date:

15th century

transitive verb: to take the color out of: as a: to bleach by excluding light b: to scald or parboil in water or steam in order to remove the skin from, whiten, or stop enzymatic action in (as food for freezing) c: to make ashen or pale <fear blanches the cheek> intransitive verb: to become white or pale

— blanch·er noun