to take the colour out of (something)
to make (a growing plant) pale by excluding light
to scald or parboil (e.g. almonds or food for freezing) in water or steam in order to remove the skin from them, whiten them, or stop enzymatic action
to make (somebody or something) ashen or pale
Fear blanched her cheeks
to become white or pale
He blanched when he heard the news
blancher noun
[Middle English blaunchen from early French blanchir, from Old French blanche white]