v. t. To make toneless; to deprive of vowel quality. --
If we take a high vowel, such as (i) [= nearly i of bit], and devocalize it, we obtain a hiss which is quite distinct enough to stand for a weak (jh). H. Sweet. [1913 Webster]
n.
v. t.
It is one thing to give an impulse to breath alone, another thing to vocalize that breath. Holder. [ 1913 Webster ]