Browning

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Browning generally means some process of food turning brown, e.g. a cut apple.

When referrting to an intentional process, it is a lot more specific, often one of:

Browning meat

It most often refers to partial cooking of meat. Aside from making meat appear brown, mostly because of the Maillard reaction, it helps taste.

It could be said to be a mild form of searing, though browning is more likely to involve spices.

Like searing, browning it doesn't seal in juices, as is commonly believed, but it helps taste for reasons similar to the reasons searing does.

Browning sugar

i.e. caramelization.