[stanch] vt [ME staunchen, fr. MF estancher, perh. fr. (assumed) VL stanticare, fr. L stant-, stans, prp.] (14c) 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 -- stanch.er n
[2]stanch var of staunch