Near the end (5)
I believe the answer is:
close
I believe this is a double definition.
'near' is the first definition.
('close' can be a synonym of 'near')
'the end' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for close that I've seen before include "block, > unventilated" , "Cessation" , "Imminent" , "Approaching - tight - finish" , "Heavy" .)