v.tr.
1. satisfy (thirst) by drinking.
2 extinguish (a fire or light etc.).
3 cool, esp. with water (heat, a heated thing).
4 esp. Metallurgy cool (a hot substance) in cold water, air, oil, etc.
5 a stifle or suppress (desire etc.). b Physics & Electronics inhibit or prevent (oscillation, luminescence, etc.) by counteractive means.
6 sl. reduce (an opponent) to silence.
Derivatives:
quenchable adj. quencher n. quenchless adj.
Etymology: ME f. OE -cwencan causative f. -cwincan be extinguished