Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - stanch

 I. transitive verb  or staunch  Etymology: Middle English staunchen, from Anglo-French e~er, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *stanticare, from Latin stant-, stans, present participle  Date: 14th century  1. to check or stop the flowing of ~ed her tears; also to stop the flow of blood from (a wound)  2. archaic allay, extinguish  3.  a. to stop or check in its course trying to ~ the crime wave  b. to make watertight ; stop up  • ~er noun  II. variant of staunch II