Closing or shutting up. A term used in surgery, 1645, 1746 (N.E.D.).
1786. In agreeing to the occlusion of the navigation of the Mississippi, we give in fact nothing; for, the moment our western country becomes populous and capable, they will seize by force what may have been yielded by treaty.—H. Lee: Sparks, ‘Corr. Am. Rev.’ (1853), iv. 137. (N.E.D.)
1806. “To the exclusion,” says the editor, “of Mr. Sheldon.” It is presumed, that he means occlusion, which is a Jeffersonian word.—The Balance, Feb. 4, p. 35/3. (Italics in the original.)
