échauffer
to warm up
verb eh-shoh-FEH Rare
Origin: from Old French 'eschauffer', from 'es-' + 'chauffer' (to heat)
Also means
to heat up, to rouse
Usage Note
Échauffer is used in sports for warming up the body (s'échauffer) and figuratively for heating up a debate or rousing a crowd. The expression échauffer les oreilles ('to heat someone's ears') means to annoy someone greatly. The noun échauffement refers to a warm-up session or overheating.
Examples
"Les joueurs s'échauffent avant le match."
Natural Translation
The players warm up before the match.

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