- blanch (1)
- late 14c., from O.Fr. blanchir "to whiten," from blanc "white" (see blank). Originally "to remove the hull of (almonds, etc.) by soaking." Intrans. sense of "to turn white" is from 1768.
- blanch (2)
- "to start back, turn aside," 1572, variant of blench (q.v.).