Caramelize (verb)

1. To heat sugar until it turns a golden or dark brown color, giving a sweet, nutty flavor to food.
2. To cook (food, such as onions) in oil or butter over low heat until it turns a golden or dark brown color and becomes sweet and tender.

Origin:

From caramel (noun) + -ize, from french caraméliser, from caramel ("caramel").

Examples:

1. The chef caramelized the onions in butter, giving them a sweet and nutty flavor.
2. Caramelizing the sugar in the recipe gives the dish a rich, deep flavor.
3. The chicken was caramelized under the broiler, giving it a crispy golden-brown crust.
4. The chef caramelized the apples to use in a dessert tart.
5. Caramelizing the mushrooms brings out their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.