blanch

v. 1 make or become white or pale. 2 a peel (almonds etc.) By scalding. B immerse (vegetables etc.) Briefly in boiling water. 3 whiten (a plant) by depriving it of light. [french: related to *blank]

a. To take the color out of, and make white; to bleach; as, to blanch linen; age has blanched his hair.