slaken

Verb

slacken (third-person singular simple present slackens, present participle slackening, simple past and past participle slackened)

1. (intransitive) To gradually decrease in intensity or tautness; to become slack; to lag.
   • The pace slackened.
2. (transitive) To make slack, less taut, or less intense.
   • slacken the rope

   Synonyms:

   ease, loosen

3. To deprive of cohesion by combining chemically with water; to slake.
   • to slacken lime