The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Desistance \De*sist"ance\, n. [Cf. F. desistance.]
   The act or state of desisting; cessation. [R.] --Boyle.
   [1913 Webster]

         If fatigue of body or brain were in every case followed
         by desistance . . . then would the system be but seldom
         out of working order.                    --H. Spencer.
   [1913 Webster]