The Only Use of

recede

in

Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen

As soon as the cold water hit his stomach he felt the hunger sharpen, as it had before, and he stood and held his abdomen until the hunger cramps receded.
p. 66.3

receded = diminished (decreased)

Definition:

to move away or diminish (become less)

The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example:

"We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away
"Her fear receded." -- diminished
"The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away
"The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention
"a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead)
"She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)