relent

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈlɛnt/

verb

[no object]
  • abandon or mitigate a severe or harsh attitude, especially by finally yielding to a request: she was going to refuse his request, but relented
  • become less severe or intense: the rain relented

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'dissolve, melt'): based on Latin re- 'back' + lentare 'to bend' (from lentus 'flexible')