fire fang1
/ˈfʌɪə faŋ/noun
Damage resulting from excessive heat or too rapid drying; = fire-fanging. In early use also: †malt damaged in this way ( obsolete ).
Origin
Late 17th century; earliest use found in Gazophylacium Anglicanum. From fire-fang.
fire-fang2
/ˈfʌɪəfaŋ/originally Scottish, in later use North American
verb
[no object] Of crops, manure, etc.: to become excessively dry and damaged as a result of the too rapid decomposition of organic matter; (of cheese) to acquire a scorched appearance or taste. Formerly also with object: †(of a rapid decomposition process) to cause (compost) to become excessively dry (obsolete ).
Origin
Mid 16th century (in an earlier sense). From fire + fang, probably after fire-fanged.