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'Charring' is a process of incomplete combustion that often occurs when biological tissue (living or dead) is subjected to heat. The resulting matter is sometimes called 'char'. Coke and charcoal are produced this way.
Charring removes hydrogen and oxygen, so that char is composed primarily of carbon.
Charring had a special meaning under the common law of England. Under that system, the crime of arson required charring of a dwelling - actual damage to the fiber of the material from which the structure was built - and not mere "scorching" or damage to the surface, or to surface coverings such as carpets and wallpaper.