Text: The action of returning a mass of gas that has become ionized (breaking up of the atoms of gas into positive and negative ions, being the elements to which and to whose motion, under the action of electric forces, is supposed to be due their electric conductivity) to its original state. In the case of a spark gap the ionization creates a conductive path which remains after the actual spark has paassed, thus preventing sharply defined oscillations. There are various methods of deionization, including cooling, absorption, air-blast or magnet field, all tending to deionize or place the spark gap in its previous condition to prevent an arc from following the discharge. This action is also known as quenching.

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Source: 190