Longfellow.
Singe (snj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Singed (snjd); p. pr. & vb. n.
Singeing (snj"ng).] [OE. sengen, AS. sengan in besengan (akin to D.
zengen, G. sengen), originally, to cause to sing, fr. AS. singan to
sing, in allusion to the singing or hissing sound often produced when a
substance is singed, or slightly burned. See Sing.] 1. To burn slightly
or superficially; to burn the surface of; to burn the ends or outside
of; as, to singe the hair or the skin.
You sulphurous and thought-executing fires, . . . Singe my white
head!
Shak.