Charbroiling

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The act of preparing food by subjecting it to intense direct heat which often results in a distinct smoky flavor
2. Cooking food by exposing it to very high, direct heat, usually on a grill or over coals
3. Preparing meals through a method where food is placed on a metal grate and heated strongly from below

Etymology: Charbroiling is the present participle of "charbroil," a verb formed by simply joining two older English words: "char" and "broil." Both are old and ordinary. "Char" is the older of the two in the sense of scorching or burning something until it turns black, while "broil" meant to cook over or near a fire, often by direct heat from below. The combination describes exactly the method the word names: food set on a grate over a hot fire, so that its surface blackens while it cooks. The pairing reflects a simple English habit of combining two related verbs to sharpen a single meaning, so the result is a descriptive compound rather than a borrowed or coined technical term.

Synonyms: grilling, broiling, roasting, cooking

Antonyms: boiling, steaming, poaching