'scorch' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'escorchier', where the Latin root 'excoriare' meant 'to strip off the skin'.

'scorch' changed from Old French 'escorchier' and Middle English 'scorchen' and eventually became the modern English word 'scorch'.

Initially, it meant 'to flay or strip the skin', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'to burn or singe; to make extremely hot' and, figuratively, 'to criticize severely'.