Emily Dickinson Lexicon

QUASH, v.t. [Sax. cwysan; D. kwetsen; G. quetschen; Fr. casser; It. squassare; L. quasso, quatio. Class Gs, No. 17, 28, 60, 68, and Class Gd, No. 38, 76. See Squeeze.]

1. Properly, to beat down or beat in pieces; to crush. The whales / Against sharp rocks, like reeling vessels quash'd. – Walter.
2. To crush; to subdue; as, to quash a rebellion. – Addison.
3. In law, to abate, annul, overthrow or make void; as, to quash an indictment. He prays judgment of the writ or declaration that the same may be quashed. – Blackstone.