The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dint \Dint\, n. [OE. dint, dent, dunt, a blow, AS. dynt; akin to
   Icel. dyntr a dint, dynta to dint, and perh. to L. fendere
   (in composition). Cf. 1st Dent, Defend.]
   1. A blow; a stroke. [Obs.] "Mortal dint." --Milton. "Like
      thunder's dint." --Fairfax.
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   2. The mark left by a blow; an indentation or impression made
      by violence; a dent. --Dryden.
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            Every dint a sword had beaten in it [the shield].
                                                  --Tennyson.
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   3. Force; power; -- esp. in the phrase by dint of.
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            Now you weep; and, I perceive, you feel
            The dint of pity.                     --Shak.
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            It was by dint of passing strength
            That he moved the massy stone at length. --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Dint \Dint\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dinted; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Dinting.]
   To make a mark or cavity on or in, by a blow or by pressure;
   to dent. --Donne. Tennyson.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

dint
    n 1: interchangeable with `means' in the expression `by means
         of'