boil
UK: bɔɪl | US: bɔɪl
v. (of a liquid) reach the temperature at which it bubbles and turns to vapor
v. cook or clean something by immersing it in boiling water
n. an inflamed pus-filled swelling on the skin
The word "boil" traces back to Old French boillir (to bubble, seethe), derived from Latin bullire (to bubble), which itself comes from bulla (bubble). The semantic connection between bubbling liquid and inflamed skin (a "boil") arose from the resemblance of the swelling to a bubbling surface. The verb form has retained its core meaning of liquid agitation under heat, while the noun form evolved metaphorically in medical contexts.
Water begins to boil at 100°C at sea level.
She boiled the eggs for exactly six minutes.
The soup boiled over because the heat was too high.
He developed a painful boil on his neck.
Boil the fabric to sterilize it before sewing.