cushion
     n 1: a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses; "the
          old car needed a new set of shocks" [syn: {shock
          absorber}, {shock}]
     2: a soft bag filled with air or a mass of padding such as
        feathers or foam rubber etc.
     v : protect from impact; "cushion the blow" [syn: {buffer}, {soften}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0