Torch etymology in English

Etymology Blog

English word torch comes from Proto-Indo-European *terkʷ-

Dictionary entry	Language	Definition
*terkʷ-	Proto-Indo-European (ine)	to turn
torquere	Latin (lat)
torques	Latin (lat)
torqua	Late Latin (LL)
*torca	Vulgar Latin (la-vul)
torche	Old French (fro)	Bundle (of sticks, hay, etc.). Torch (stick with flame at one end).
torche	Middle English (enm)
torch	English (en)	To set fire to, especially by use of a torch (flaming stick). (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) A portable light source powered by electricity; a flashlight.. (slang, US) An arsonist.. A stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as a light source; a similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material.. Short form for blowtorch or oxy-gas torch.

Torch etymology