parched

In the surrounding plain, which more resembled a dusty lake than solid ground, were scattered a few miserable stalks of wheat, the effect, no doubt, of a curious desire on the part of the agriculturists of the country to see whether such a thing as the raising of grain in those parched regions was practicable.

The abbé rose from his chair, made two turns round the chamber, and pressed his trembling hand against his parched throat.