From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Daunt \Daunt\ (d[add]nt; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Daunted; p. pr. & vb. n. Daunting.] [OF. danter, F. dompter to tame, subdue, fr. L. domitare, v. intens. of domare to tame. See Tame.] 1. To overcome; to conquer. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
2. To repress or subdue the courage of; to check by fear of danger; to cow; to intimidate; to dishearten. [1913 Webster]
Some presences daunt and discourage us. --Glanvill.
Syn: To dismay; appall. See Dismay. [1913 Webster]