The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Quell \Quell\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quelled; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Quelling.] [See Quail to cower.]
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   1. To die. [Obs.]
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            Yet he did quake and quaver, like to quell.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   2. To be subdued or abated; to yield; to abate. [R.]
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            Winter's wrath begins to quell.       --Spenser.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

quelling
    n 1: forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority;
         "the suppression of heresy"; "the quelling of the
         rebellion"; "the stifling of all dissent" [syn:
         suppression, crushing, quelling, stifling]