[syn: crunch, scranch, scraunch, crackle]
3.  to become, or to cause to become, covered with a network of small cracks; 
- Example: "The blazing sun crackled the desert sand"
ADJECTIVE (1)
1.  having the surface decorated with a network of fine cracks, as in crackleware; 
- Example: "a crackle glaze"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Crackle \Crac"kle\ (kr[a^]k"k'l), v. i. [Dim. of crack.]
   To make slight cracks; to make small, sharp, sudden noises,
   rapidly or frequently repeated; to crepitate; as, burning
   thorns crackle.
   [1913 Webster]
         The unknown ice that crackles underneath them.
                                                  --Dryden.
   [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Crackle \Crac"kle\, n.
   1. The noise of slight and frequent cracks or reports; a
      crackling.
      [1913 Webster]
            The crackle of fireworks.             --Carlyle.
      [1913 Webster]
   2. (Med.) A kind of crackling sound or r[^a]le, heard in some
      abnormal states of the lungs; as, dry crackle; moist
      crackle. --Quain.
      [1913 Webster]
   3. (Fine Arts) A condition produced in certain porcelain,
      fine earthenware, or glass, in which the glaze or enamel
      appears to be cracked in all directions, making a sort of
      reticulated surface; as, Chinese crackle; Bohemian
      crackle.
      [1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
crackle
    adj 1: having the surface decorated with a network of fine
           cracks, as in crackleware; "a crackle glaze"
    n 1: the sharp sound of snapping noises [syn: crackle,
         crackling, crepitation]
    2: glazed china with a network of fine cracks on the surface
       [syn: crackle, crackleware, crackle china]
    v 1: make a crackling sound; "My Rice Krispies crackled in the
         bowl" [syn: crepitate, crackle]
    2: make a crushing noise; "his shoes were crunching on the
       gravel" [syn: crunch, scranch, scraunch, crackle]
    3: to become, or to cause to become, covered with a network of
       small cracks; "The blazing sun crackled the desert sand"
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
58 Moby Thesaurus words for "crackle":
   abrasion, blemish, break, burn, chafe, check, chip, clack, click,
   concussion, crack, cracking, crackling, craze, crepitate,
   crepitation, cut, decrepitate, decrepitation, flash burn, fracture,
   fray, frazzle, gall, gash, hurt, incision, injury, laceration,
   lesion, mortal wound, mutilation, puncture, rent, rip, run,
   rupture, scald, scorch, scrape, scratch, scuff, second-degree burn,
   sizzling, slash, snap, snapping, sore, spit, spitting, stab,
   stab wound, tear, third-degree burn, trauma, wound,
   wounds immedicable, wrench