An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A light to be carried in the hand, consisting of some combustible substance, as resinous wood, or of twisted flax or the like soaked with tallow or other flammable substance, ignited at the upper end (Dictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): M.E. torche, from O.Fr. torche “torch,” originally “twisted thing,” then “torch formed of twisted tow dipped in wax,” probably from V.L. *torca, alteration of L.L. torqua, from torquere “to twist,” → torque.

Etymology (PE): Âhir, from Kurd. âhir “torch,” variant of âzar, → fire.