scorch 'burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color' char 'burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color' blacken 'burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color' sear 'burn slightly and superficially so as to affect color'
broil 'COD: cook by exposure to direct heat' braise 'COD: fry lightly and then stew slowly in a closed container' poach 'COD: cook by simmering in a small amount of liquid' scald 'COD: heat milk or other liquid to near boiling point' char 'COD: partially burn so as to blacken the surface' blanch 'COD: prepare vegetables for freezing or further cooking by immersing briefly in boiling water' brown 'COD: make or become brown by cooking' stew 'COD: cook or be cooked slowly in liquid in a closed dish or pan'
The fire charred the ceiling above the mantelpiece the flames scorched the ceiling The cook blackened the chicken breast
Examples from VerbNet
The clothes dried wrinkled. The clothes dried. Bill dried the clothes with a hairdryer. The hairdryer dried the clothes. The cotton clothes dried easily. Bill dried the clothes.