Daunt (verb)

1. Frighten or intimidate (someone), typically so that they are too afraid to do something.
2. Discourage or dishearten (someone).

Origin:

Late middle english: from old french danter, from latin domitare "to tame", from domare "to tame".

Examples:

1. The challenge daunted him.
2. The prospect of the long hike daunted her.
3. The difficult task daunted the team.
4. The competition daunted the athletes.
5. The difficult exam daunted the students.