The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

flashlight \flash"light`\ n.
   a portable battery-powered electric lamp, small enough to be
   held in one hand; -- it is most commonly cylindrical, but
   other forms are also made. It is called in Britain a torch

   Syn: torch.
        [WordNet 1.5]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Torch \Torch\ (t[^o]rch), n. [OE. torche, F. torche a torch,
   rag, wisp, pad; probably from a derivative of L. torquere,
   tortum, to twist, because twisted like a rope; cf. F. torcher
   to rub, wipe, It. topcia a torch, torciare to wrap, twist,
   OF. torse a torse. Cf. Torture.]
   A light or luminary formed of some combustible substance, as
   of resinous wood; a large candle or flambeau, or a lamp
   giving a large, flaring flame.
   [1913 Webster]

         They light the nuptial torch.            --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]
   [1913 Webster]

   Torch thistle. (Bot.) See under Thistle.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Torchwort \Torch"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
   The common mullein, the stalks of which, dipped in suet,
   anciently served for torches. Called also torch, and
   hig-taper.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

torch
    n 1: a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some
         flammable substance
    2: tall-stalked very woolly mullein with densely packed yellow
       flowers; ancient Greeks and Romans dipped the stalks in
       tallow for funeral torches [syn: common mullein, great
       mullein, Aaron's rod, flannel mullein, woolly mullein,
       torch, Verbascum thapsus]
    3: a small portable battery-powered electric lamp [syn:
       flashlight, torch]
    4: a burner that mixes air and gas to produce a very hot flame
       [syn: blowtorch, torch, blowlamp]
    v 1: burn maliciously, as by arson; "The madman torched the
         barns"