to overcome, as by persuasion or training; control
to make less intense; reduce; diminish; soften; allay
to repress (emotions, passions, etc.)
to bring (land) under cultivation
Origin:
ME subdewen (altered in sense and form by assoc. with L subdere, to put under, subject) < OFr soduire, to withdraw, seduce < L subducere: see subduce