Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun Informal.
- smuttiness or vulgarity; crudeness; obscenity: porno magazines and other purveyors of raunch.
- slovenliness; grubbiness.
- an earthy, raw musical style derived from blues and gospel: a singer who can go easily from raunch to rock.
noun slang
- lack of polish or refinement; crudeness
- mainly US slovenliness or untidiness
1963 (in “Billboard,” describing lead guitar on surf music tracks), back-formation from raunchy. There was a singing group in U.S. c.1960 called the Raunch Hands.