Quenynges

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Archaic plural forms referring to acts of putting out a fire or satisfying a thirst or desire
2. An obsolete term for instances of extinguishing flames or slaking a craving, as recorded in Middle English
3. Old English-style plural meaning the acts of cooling, extinguishing, or satisfying something by quenching it

Etymology: Middle English speakers used "quenynges" as the plural of "quenynge," a verbal noun for the act of putting out a fire. Its base is the verb "quenen," which meant to extinguish flames and, by extension, to slake thirst. That verb descends from Old English "cwencan," a causative formed from "cwincan," "to waste away" or "languish." So the underlying idea was to make something go out, as a dying ember goes out, before the word was ever used for water or fire.