U

blackened

adjective

(especially of fish) coated with spices and sautéed quickly over high heat so that the outside chars.

verb (used with object)

to make black; darken.
to speak evil of; defame: to blacken a person’s reputation.

verb (used without object)

to grow or become black.

verb

to make or become black or dirty
(tr) to defame; slander (esp in the phrase blacken someone’s name)

c.1200, “become black or dark;” early 14c., “make black, darken, dye (hair);” see black + -en (1). Figurative sense of “to besmirch” (with dishonor, etc.) is from early 15c. Related: Blackened; blackening.