Burn slightly

CHAR

Think of what happens to wood when it's exposed to flame but doesn’t fully turn to ash—this word also describes a blackened mark left behind.

Burn slightly" hints at a gentle scorch or blacken, which is exactly what "char" means—like when food gets a little burnt around the edges. The word also plays on its shorter form, since "char" is a clipped version of "charcoal," which comes from burning wood. It’s a straightforward definition with no hidden tricks, just a common verb that fits the clue perfectly.