Noah Webster
Becalm
BECALM, verb transitive becam. [be calm. See Calm.]
1. To still; to make quiet; to appease; to stop, or repress motion in a body; used of the elements and of the passions; as, to becalm the ocean, or the mind. But calm is generally used.
2. To intercept the current of wind, so as to prevent motion; to keep from motion for want of wind; as, highlands becalm a ship.