v. Obs. [OE. cwelan = OS. quelan to die a violent death (MDu. quelen to suffer, be ill), OHG. quelen (MHG. queln):OTeut. *kwelan from root *kwel-: see QUELL v.] To die.
c. 1000. Saxon Leechd., III. 272. Swa swa fixas cwelað ʓyf hi of wætere beoð.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 111. Ðu gederas mare & mare, & men cwelað on hungre.
c. 1205. Lay., 31815. Morð wes iwurðen; quelen þa eorles, quelen þa beornes [etc.].
a. 1250. Prov. Ælfred, 155, in O. E. Misc., 112. Þat he may god iqueme er he quele.