from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Stanch \Stanch\ (st[.a]nch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stanched}
(st[.a]ncht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Stanching}.] [OF. estanchier,
F. ['e]tancher to stop a liquid from flowing; akin to Pr.,
Sp., & Pg. estancar, It. stancare to weary, LL. stancare,
stagnare, to stanch, fr. L. stagnare to be or make stagnant.
See {Stagnate}.]
1. To stop the flowing of, as blood; to check; also, to stop
the flowing of blood from; as, to stanch a wound. [Written
also {staunch}.]
[1913 Webster]
Iron or a stone laid to the neck doth stanch the
bleeding of the nose. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
2. To extinguish; to quench, as fire or thirst. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]