stanch
1. stanch \'sto.nch, 'sta:nch\ vt [ME staunchen, fr. MF estancher, fr. (assumed) VL stanticare,] fr. L stant-, stans, prp. 1: to check or stop the flowing of; also : to stop the flow of blo od from (a wound) archaic 2: ALLAY, EXTINGUISH 3a: to stop or check in its course 3b: to make watertight - stanch.er n 2. stanch var of STAUNCH