Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SINGE, v.t. [sinj; Sax. sængan; G. sengen; D. zengen.]

To burn slightly or superficially; to burn the surface of a thing, as the nap of cloth, or the hair of the skin; as, to singe off the beard. – Shak. Thus riding on his curls, he seemed to pass / A rolling fire along, and singe the grass. – Dryden.